The House of Representatives failed to pass a resolution restricting President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran on Thursday, with the vote ending in a 212-212 tie. The measure, introduced by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), aimed to compel the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities within 30 days of the war’s start on Feb. 28. The tie effectively killed the legislation, as House rules require a majority for passage.
Key Vote Details
Three Republicans—Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Tom Barrett (R-MI)—voted in favor of the resolution, marking a shift from previous votes where only Massie had broken with the White House. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), the sole Democrat to oppose the measure, cited concerns over a “clean” resolution introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), which could come up for a vote next week. Golden’s vote was decisive, as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) could only afford to lose two GOP votes before needing Democratic support.
War Powers Resolution Context
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the president to remove armed forces from hostilities after 60 days if Congress has not authorized the war. The 60-day clock started on March 2, when Trump notified Congress of the hostilities. However, the administration argued that a ceasefire on April 7 paused the clock, as there had been no exchange of fire since then. Tensions have since risen around the Strait of Hormuz, testing the ceasefire.
Political Implications
The vote underscored growing Republican opposition to Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict. In a similar vote last month, only Massie had defected, but Thursday’s vote saw three GOP defections. Even if the resolution had passed the House, it likely would not have secured the 60 votes needed in the Senate, where similar efforts have repeatedly failed. Golden, who is retiring after this term, indicated support for the Meeks resolution, which could gain traction with the three Republican “yes” votes.
Opposing Views
Gottheimer criticized the administration for leaving lawmakers “in the dark” and argued that the resolution was necessary to rein in Trump’s unilateral military actions. Golden, however, emphasized the need for a “clean” resolution, stating that the president’s window for unilateral military engagement had closed. The administration has maintained that the ceasefire paused the 60-day clock, allowing the president to continue military actions without congressional approval.