House Republicans Cancel Vote on Resolution to End U.S. War in Iran
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have abruptly canceled a planned vote on a war powers resolution that sought to end American military involvement in Iran, amid growing bipartisan pressure over President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict.
The resolution, introduced under the 1973 War Powers Act, would have required the withdrawal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorized continued military action. Democratic lawmakers, along with a small group of Republicans, argued that the ongoing war lacked constitutional approval and risked dragging the United States into a prolonged Middle East conflict.
According to reports, Republican leadership pulled the vote after realizing the measure was close to passing due to several Republican defections and member absences. Democrats accused the GOP of avoiding a politically damaging defeat and delaying the vote until after the Memorial Day recess in June.
House Democratic leaders called the decision “cowardly,” saying Congress has a constitutional duty to decide matters of war. Republican dissenters such as Representative Thomas Massie and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick have increasingly questioned the administration’s Iran strategy and supported efforts to limit presidential war powers.
The cancellation comes shortly after the U.S. Senate advanced a similar bipartisan resolution aimed at restricting Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval. The Senate move marked a rare rebuke of the president from members of his own party.
The Iran conflict has triggered rising oil prices, fears of wider regional instability, and renewed debate in Washington over executive war powers. While the White House insists Trump is acting within his authority as commander-in-chief, critics warn that bypassing Congress could set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
