House Democrats on Thursday forced a second successful vote to end the war with Iran, but they did not pick up any new GOP support despite escalating tensions in the Mideast and the recent deaths of four U.S. service members.
The war powers resolution passed 214-208 with mostly Democratic votes.
The same four Republicans who supported a similar measure the House passed in June voted for this one too: Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Warren Davidson of Ohio.
Those Republicans said the Trump administration needs congressional approval to continue hostilities against Iran, since the conflict is long past a 60-day deadline set by the War Powers Act to obtain authorization for use of military force.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington Democrat who led this latest war powers resolution, had hoped to pick up a Republican vote or two but said either way it was important for lawmakers to go on record again, given the evolving dynamics of the war.
“The strikes this weekend and all of the activity over the last couple of weeks have again raised the urgency of ending this war and making it very clear to the president that he cannot continue on this path,” Ms. Jayapal told The Washington Times.
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“We really appreciate the people who are taking these votes out of conscience and constitutional clarity, but there are still many that aren’t,” she said. “And I think that this also allows more people to come on board each time and to be able to answer to their constituents about why they would allow this to continue.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, told reporters earlier in the week that he does not believe Congress needs to authorize the war.
“The commander in chief and the whole Department of War are working very hard to bring this to a resolution,” he said.
The speaker said it is “very important” for the Trump administration to finish the war’s objective of ensuring Iran never has a nuclear weapon, and he urged U.S. allies to aid in that effort, given the global implications.
“I know that this administration is working around the clock to resolve that in a way so they don’t suffer any more troop losses,” he said.
