The US House of Representatives voted 214-208 to approve a nonbinding resolution directing President Donald Trump to remove armed forces from the Iran war, with four Republicans joining all Democrats to cast decisive votes for the measure, on Thursday in Washington, where the Senate later voted 47-49 to reject a joint resolution to end the war that would have the force of law.

Background on the Iran War Opposition

For context, the US-Iran conflict has been ongoing since February, with multiple Senate Republicans stating that the war should not go on for more than 60 days without congressional approval, in order to comply with federal law, including Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah, who voted against the measure to end the war on Thursday.

The votes in both chambers were pushed by Democrats eager to get Republicans on the record about an unpopular war ahead of the midterm elections and to reassert Congress' role as the branch of government responsible for declaring war, with 70% of American people opposing the war, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y.

Senate Republicans' Position on the War

Senate Republicans have indicated their willingness to give Trump breathing room on the 60-day deadline, with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joining every Democrat except Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania in voting to advance the measure, while four Republicans didn't vote: Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky.

According to Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., who represents a swing district and is a top target of Democrats in November, the war's economic impact is a concern, but Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and he'd like the Strait of Hormuz to open as soon as possible so the prices of gas and fertilizer can come back down.

What's Next for the Iran War Resolution

Rep. Meeks plans to introduce a resolution "to sue the administration," accusing it of defying Congress on the Iran war, which he plans to force a vote on when the House returns from its summer recess in five weeks, amid public opposition to the war, with even self-identified "MAGA" voters skeptical of the war, according to Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

The failed Senate measure was led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and the House approved a similar war powers resolution in early June on a 215-208 vote, with the same Republicans supporting it who voted for the measure on Thursday, as Democrats continue to force these votes to get Republicans on the record about a war that a majority of Americans oppose.

  • 214-208: the House vote to approve the nonbinding resolution to end the Iran war
  • 47-49: the Senate vote to reject the joint resolution to end the war
  • 60 days: the deadline for congressional approval of the war, according to federal law
  • 70%: the percentage of American people opposing the war, according to Rep. Meeks

As the debate on the Iran war continues, readers should watch for further developments in Congress and the impact of public opinion on the conflict, with the House set to return from its summer recess in five weeks and potential votes on the war powers resolution and other related measures.