WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has approved a war powers resolution directing President Donald Trump to end military action against Iran unless Congress grants formal authorization. However, just hours later, the US Senate rejected a similar proposal, highlighting deep political divisions over America’s role in the ongoing conflict.
The House passed the resolution by a 214 to 208 vote, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in support of limiting the president’s authority to continue military operations without congressional approval. The measure, introduced by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, calls for the withdrawal of US armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless lawmakers explicitly authorize the action.
Despite the House vote, the resolution is largely symbolic because similar measures passed in recent months have not changed US military policy. In the Senate, lawmakers voted 49 to 47 to block a comparable resolution. Republican Senator Susan Collins sided with Democrats in favor of the proposal, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted with Republicans against it. Several Republican senators did not participate in the vote.
The debate reflects growing concern in Washington over a conflict that President Trump initially described as a limited military operation. Instead, the war has expanded, resulting in increased casualties, higher fuel prices, and growing pressure on the United States. Critics argue that Congress, not the president, has the constitutional authority to approve military action, while supporters of the administration believe Trump must retain flexibility to respond to security threats.
Representative Jayapal welcomed the House vote, calling the conflict unconstitutional and urging an immediate end to the war. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers accused supporters of the resolution of attempting to gain political advantage ahead of the November midterm elections rather than focusing on national security.
The vote comes as the conflict continues to escalate across the Middle East. President Trump recently warned Iran of major military retaliation following attacks linked to Houthi fighters on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. At the same time, US forces carried out additional airstrikes on Iranian targets, while Iran responded with missile attacks on American military bases in neighboring countries, raising concerns that the confrontation could widen further.
