Thomas Massie

The House on Wednesday passed a war powers resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s military action in Iran, approving the measure 215-208.

The vote, which saw four Republicans—Warren Davidson of Ohio, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania—join Democrats marks the first time the chamber has moved to force an end to the conflict without congressional authorization.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had moved to block a vote that would highlight growing opposition to the war, abruptly halting floor action two weeks ago when the war powers resolution appeared poised to pass. In an email response to Newsweek, a White House official said the measure passed largely due to 18 Republican absences and said there have already been multiple war powers votes in Congress.

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The vote comes amid growing unease on Capitol Hill over the Iran war, a military campaign launched in February without congressional approval, highlighting a broader constitutional clash over whether the president or Congress should decide when the United States goes to war.

Massie wrote on X, "The Iran War Powers Resolution that I cosponsored (opposing the war) just passed the House of Representatives. The People’s House is sending a message: end this war."

White House Responds to War Powers Vote

The Trump administration has argued that the campaign against Iran is largely aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon and countering what officials describe as escalating threats from Iranian forces and their regional proxies against Israel. It has also maintained that the president has the authority as commander in chief to act decisively to deter further aggression and protect U.S. interests and allies without prior congressional approval.

The White House official told Newsweek that the House resolution "will not" reach the president's desk and, as a concurrent resolution, would carry no legal force even if approved by the Senate.

The official also questioned the vote's constitutionality, citing past rulings on legislative vetoes under the War Powers Act. In 1983, the Supreme Court struck down the “legislative veto” as unconstitutional. The court ruled that Congress cannot overturn executive branch actions through a resolution that has not passed both chambers and been presented to the president, reinforcing that lawmaking must follow the Constitution’s requirements of bicameral passage and presidential approval.

House Iran War Powers Resolution: What to Know

The House-passed war powers resolution would not immediately end the conflict but would serve as a largely symbolic step aimed at limiting further military action. While the Constitution grants Congress authority to declare war, the president’s role as commander in chief underscores an ongoing dispute over the balance of war powers between the two branches.

Under the War Powers Resolution, the administration has 60 days to seek congressional authorization for military action. Officials have argued that the clock does not apply in this case, citing a ceasefire with Iran as evidence that active hostilities have ended.

Domestically, the vote carries political implications for lawmakers facing pressure from constituents over the conflict's risks and costs.

Since the U.S. joined Israel in launching strikes on Iran February 28, gas prices have risen, adding to inflationary pressure on consumers. Iran has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global supplies of oil, natural gas and other commodities, including fertilizer.

A ceasefire declared in April has remained fragile, with uncertainty persisting as negotiations for a longer-term agreement drag on. Efforts have been further complicated by Israel’s expanding conflict with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, while U.S. and Iranian strikes have continued intermittently. The House is also expected to consider a war powers resolution this week aimed at blocking U.S. military action in Lebanon.

Barrett told reporters after the vote that he's not worried about backlash from the president.

"I vote my conscience for what I think is right. And willing to accept that (backlash)."

Johnson said this week that Trump remains “laser focused” on domestic priorities, particularly with midterm elections looming that will determine control of Congress. The Louisiana Republican added that he spent three hours at the White House this week as Trump presses allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commerce, especially oil flows.

“We’re working on that final piece,” Johnson said. “The entire world has an interest in the Strait of Hormuz being reopen for commerce. That what he’s (Trump) working on.”

Previous Vote Attempts, What Happens Next

It marks the fourth House attempt to limit the U.S. war with Iran, following months of growing congressional unease. The Senate advanced a similar war powers measure last month with support from four Republicans, as successive House votes have drawn increasing backing amid rising political concerns over the conflict.

The Senate has not yet taken a final vote on its own war powers resolution.

Still, even if the resolution were to pass both chambers, it would likely face a presidential veto, meaning Congress would then need a two-thirds majority to enforce it.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee Wednesday that the Iranians would think that the Trump administration's “hands are going to be tied” if Congress approved a war powers resolution. Rubio said during his hearing that they would think ”we won’t be able to do anything to them, so why make a deal?”

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.

Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this article.