House rebukes Trump's war in Iran
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President Trump speaks to reporters after landing in Air Force One on July 19. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The House on Thursday passed a resolution to rein in President Trump's military campaign in Iran.
Why it matters: It's Congress' second successful rebuke of Trump's Iran war effort, reflecting growing GOP unease with the conflict.
- Four Republicans — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Tom Barrett (Mich.), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Thomas Massie (Ky.) — voted in support of the measure along with every Democrat.
- The 214-208 vote to direct Trump to end hostilities is largely symbolic and does not carry the force of law.
Catch up quick: The House in June passed a resolution to constrain Trump's military campaign in Iran with the support of four Republicans.
- Previous efforts to curb Trump's war in Iran had failed.
- Momentum for bringing another war powers resolution to the floor this week grew among House Democrats after three US troops were killed in the region over the weekend.
- "It is absolutely crucial that we assert our Article I Constitutional powers, and - especially following the most recent hostilities in Iran - continue to show Congressional disapproval for this war," Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wa.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.) wrote in a dear colleague letter this week.
The big picture: Republicans have largely backed Trump's military campaign, but unease within the GOP has grown as the conflict has dragged on without congressional authorization.
- Congressional Republicans are currently working to pass $73 billion in funding for the war effort in Iran.
- Although the bulk of House Republicans opposed the measure, some members in opposition still want more congressional oversight over the war.
- "We need to actually have a debate, and have the White House and people come forward and say, 'We're asking Congress, we're not telling Congress, we're asking Congress whether or not we are going to stay at war with a sovereign nation,' and then debate it, decide it, unite, and win it," Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who opposed the measure, told Axios on Wednesday.
What's next: A similar measure teed up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday faces a tough path in that chamber.
