House Passes Historic Measure Rebuking Trump on Iran War

Congressional Rebellion Takes Shape

For the first time since the Iran conflict began three months ago, the House of Representatives has successfully passed a war powers resolution designed to force President Trump to end military operations against Iran without explicit congressional approval. The 215-208 vote marked a significant victory for Democrats and constitutional purists who argue the conflict is illegal without explicit congressional approval, with four Republicans joining every Democrat in supporting the measure.

Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, who had voted against the three previous failed attempts, also dropped his opposition and voted for the measure, giving his party unanimity on the issue. Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio voted with Democrats in favor of the measure. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick explained his decision by stating, "we have to follow the law," referring to the War Powers Act. "We're past the 60 days, so you have two choices. You either follow the law or you change the law. You can't violate the law. That's not an option."

House Speaker Mike Johnson had tried to prevent this outcome by abruptly shutting down floor action two weeks ago when the resolution was on the verge of approval. But displeasure has only grown as the conflict drags on and as Trump struggles to negotiate a plan for peace. Democrats in the chamber erupted in applause after passage.

Escalating Violence Tests Fragile Ceasefire

The House vote came as violence escalated dramatically across the Persian Gulf. One person was killed and flights were suspended in Kuwait, officials said, after missile and drone strikes, including an attack on its international airport. Kuwait said one person was killed and 63 people were injured in an attack that significantly damaged its international airport. Kuwait's military said it had intercepted 13 Iranian missiles and 17 drones since dawn Wednesday.

The airport had opened only Monday after a months-long closure because of the war, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Videos published online and geolocated by NBC News showed a blazing fire inside the airport, surrounded by debris and heavy smoke as people ran for cover. Another showed the roof destroyed, with rubble scattered on the ground as emergency responders surveyed the aftermath. The U.S. military said it shot down Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck Iran's Qeshm Island a day earlier.

Political and Economic Pressures Mount

Some fear the war's unpopularity and the economic fallout could harm the GOP's chances at keeping control of Congress after the midterm elections in November. GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who is running for Senate, said in a private exchange at a campaign stop last week that the war could be a "political liability" if it continues beyond "the next couple of weeks." Since the U.S. joined Israel in launching the Feb. 28 strikes on Iran, Americans have seen gas prices spike at the pumps, adding to inflationary pressure on consumer spending. Iran has been able to interrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for a large segment of the world's oil, natural gas and related products such as fertilizer.

In a podcast interview released Wednesday, Trump confirmed a report that he had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy" Monday in a phone call peppered with an expletive. Trump told The New York Post's "Pod Force One" that he was "a little bit perturbed" that Israel's fight with Hezbollah was holding back talks with Iran. Despite this tension, he painted a rosy picture of negotiations to end the war and suggested that a potential advancement could happen as soon as this weekend. "The negotiation itself has gone very well — actually, very well — even if it happens, and it might not happen, but if it happens, it could happen like over the weekend," he said.

What Happens Next

The development is largely symbolic, since there are lingering disputes about whether the measure, known as a concurrent resolution, carries the force of law. And Trump is certain to contest the authority of the measure even if it's also passed by the Senate, where it's headed next. Even if the measure passed in Congress, it would almost certainly be vetoed by President Trump, whose administration has questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act. Still, Senate Democrats have been inching closer. Last month, they won support on a procedural measure to set up a war powers vote after a handful of Republicans broke ranks to join them.

The vote represents a watershed moment in the three-month conflict, demonstrating growing congressional unease with a war that has disrupted global commerce and strained America's position in the Middle East. With economic pressures mounting at home and violence escalating abroad, the measure signals that Trump's war strategy faces increasing political isolation even within his own party.