Four Republicans crossed party lines on Wednesday evening, joining Democrats to pass a war powers resolution that checks President Donald Trump’s authority as it pertains to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The White House said it doesn’t matter.
The vote marks a drastic shift from more than a dozen previous war powers resolution votes in both the House and Senate, as Democrats have lacked support from both GOP-controlled chambers to put a legislative check on the Trump administration’s military operation in Iran that began on Feb. 28 without congressional approval.
An original vote was scheduled for May 21 but canceled by House Speaker Mike Johnson in the final stretch, due to seeing a path to losing the vote due to Republican absences. The same thing essentially happened today, but without the cancellation.
Today’s resolution was introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and passed by a 215 to 208 vote. Republican Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Penn.), Tom Barrett (Mich.) and Warren Davidson (Ohio) crossed party lines, helping Democrats reverse a long legislative losing streak.
The vote also comes at a time when more Republicans are speaking out against some of the Trump administration’s actions, such as the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund set up for those legally impacted by their actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
“I am thrilled that we’ve had the opportunity to have some members from the Republican side stand up,” Meeks told reporters after the vote, according to CNN. “I’m really thrilled and proud of my Democratic colleagues, because every Democrat, every single one voted for this.”
Massie, who recently lost his Republican primary to a Trump-backed candidate, wrote on X: “The People’s House is sending a message: end this war.”
White House Reaction
The White House told Military.com that the vote doesn’t carry the weight some believe it does.
An administration official said on background that the vote was driven by numerous absences from the Republican conference, like Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.) and Andy Ogles (Tenn.). The official touted how there have been 18 “successful” war powers votes on Capitol Hill prior to today.
“This will not reach the president’s desk for signature,” the official said, adding that the vote faces another legal hurdle.
Specifically, H.Con.Res 86 is a concurrent resolution, meaning it has no force of law. Even if the Senate passed it, which the White House says is “highly unlikely,” it would have no effect.
“Concurrent resolutions are also unconstitutional,” the official said. “The War Powers Act was designed with a legislative veto, which was declared unconstitutional in 1983.
“President Trump will continue to protect our national security using his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief while being transparent with Congress.”
Meeks, meanwhile, said that he and others intend “to continue to do our constitutional responsibilities.”
“We’re going to continue and be a check and a balance when the administration doesn’t follow the Constitution,” Meeks said.
Johnson told CNN prior to Wednesday’s vote that a limit on Trump’s powers may have a “very negative” impact on negotiations.
“I think it is a very dangerous prospect to take away from the administration and the commander-in-chief right now the ability to negotiate,” Johnson said. “That’s what this does. It weakens us, our position, and our leverage in negotiation on the peace in that situation.
The speaker added that ‘Operation Epic Fury’ “concluded,” echoing other senior officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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