US House passes resolution seeking end to Trump's Iran war

Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): The Republican-led United States (US) House of Representatives, voted on Wednesday in favour of a resolution aimed at stopping President Donald Trump from continuing military operations against Iran, highlighting increasing concern within his own party over the conflict that has now stretched into its fourth month.

The resolution was approved by a vote of 215 to 208, with four Republican lawmakers breaking ranks to join Democrats. The measure calls on Trump to remove American troops from Iran unless Congress formally declares war or grants authorization for the use of military force.

This marked the first time since hostilities began three months ago that the Republican-led House endorsed legislation intended to compel the president to scale back military action against Tehran.

The vote represents another congressional challenge for Trump despite Republicans holding narrow majorities in both the House and Senate.

At present, the resolution carries mostly symbolic significance because it would also need Senate approval before taking effect. In addition, legal scholars continue to debate whether war powers resolutions would withstand constitutional scrutiny even if Congress passes them.

Nevertheless, the outcome underscores growing discomfort among some Republican lawmakers regarding Trump's management of the war and signals a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation to limit presidential authority over military engagements as the conflict enters its fourth month.

Three earlier attempts to pass similar war powers measures failed in the House, although the margins became progressively tighter each time. Last month, Republican leaders unexpectedly postponed consideration of this proposal when it appeared likely to secure enough votes for passage.

Meanwhile, the Senate moved forward with a separate but comparable resolution last month through a procedural vote after seven previous efforts had fallen short. No additional votes on that Senate measure have yet been scheduled.

The four Republicans who supported the House resolution were Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Not a single Democrat voted against the proposal, while seven House members did not cast votes.
In recent weeks, Trump has encountered a growing number of objections from members of his own party after a prolonged period during which very few Republicans challenged his policy decisions.

Separately on Wednesday, lawmakers approved a procedural step that advances the Ukraine Support Act toward a full vote. The legislation would provide security assistance to Ukraine as it continues defending itself against Russia's invasion.

The bill reached the House floor only after supporters secured the required 218 signatures through a discharge petition last month.
Six Republicans and one independent lawmaker who typically votes alongside Republicans supported the procedural motion related to the Ukraine measure.

Republicans have also recently pushed back against Trump's proposal to establish a “weaponisation” fund designed to compensate political allies who claim they were subjected to government mistreatment.
Additionally, Republican lawmakers on Wednesday criticized Trump's selection of loyalist Bill Pulte, a mortgage regulator with no national security background, to serve as acting director of national intelligence.

Democrats have repeatedly urged Trump to seek congressional approval before using military force in Iran, stressing that under the US Constitution only Congress—not the president—has the authority to declare war.

They have also warned that Trump may have drawn the United States into a prolonged military conflict without presenting a clearly defined strategy. Democrats further pointed to rising costs of gasoline, food and other consumer goods since the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran commenced on February 28.

“The passage of this WPR today signals a significant turning point: more and more Republicans are listening to their constituents who do not want another open-ended war in the Middle East,” Representative Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the war powers resolution and serves as ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement after the vote.

Statement from Ranking Member @RepGregoryMeeks on the passage of his War Powers Resolution terminating U.S. hostilities against Iran: pic.twitter.com/ShtZ500Jzh

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) June 3, 2026

“This is a loud and unambiguous message to Donald Trump on behalf of the American people: it’s time to end his deeply unpopular and illegal war of choice in Iran,” the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats posted on X.

????BREAKING????

The House just PASSED @RepGregoryMeeks' Iran War Powers Resolution.

This is a loud and unambiguous message to Donald Trump on behalf of the American people: it’s time to end his deeply unpopular and illegal war of choice in Iran. pic.twitter.com/xhHU1djuzp

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) June 3, 2026

With the November midterm elections approaching, Democrats have placed the issue of affordability at the center of their economic message as voters prepare to decide whether Republicans will retain control of Congress.

US producer prices recorded their largest increase in four years during April, driven by sharply rising costs for goods and services since the conflict began.

The Trump administration continues to defend the military campaign against Iran, arguing that it is essential for national security and necessary to stop the Islamic republic from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Republican opponents of the war powers resolutions dismiss the measures as political theatre by Democrats, contending that they are designed to weaken the United States and score political points against Trump.