US Congress refuses to limit Trump’s Iran war powers.

Washington – (Web Desk) – The US House of Representatives voted on Thursday against a measure that would have stopped President Donald Trump’s air strikes on Iran. The resolution also sought to make sure Congress approves any future attacks. The vote was close, 219 to 212, mostly along party lines.

Most Republicans supported Trump, while most Democrats opposed him. A few lawmakers crossed party lines, with two Republicans voting for the resolution and four Democrats against it. Critics said Democrats were pushing the vote mainly because they oppose Trump, putting Americans at risk.

Representative Rick Crawford of Arizona, a Republican, said, “We wouldn’t be here today if the president wasn’t Donald Trump.” Supporters of the resolution argued it was Congress’ job, under the Constitution, to approve war.

The conflict began on Saturday when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Since then, more than 1,000 people have died, including at least six US service members. The fighting has also caused damage and unrest across the Middle East.

Supporters said the resolution, by requiring Trump to come to Congress for a war authorization, would force him to explain to Americans why the US is fighting and how it might end.

“This is a war of choice, launched by this administration without authorization, without clearly stated objectives or a defined endgame, and without explaining how they intend to keep Americans safe,” said Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Just before the resolution vote, House members from both parties overwhelmingly passed a measure “Reaffirming Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism.”

The vote would not have stopped the conflict even if the House had voted yes.

Footage shows flames and smoke rising from a hotel in Bahrain after it was struck by an Iranian drone.

Another hotel and a residential building in Manama were also reportedly targeted. pic.twitter.com/ydHvNQBZBq

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 6, 2026

To go into effect, the resolution would also have had to pass the Senate and garner the two-thirds majorities needed to override Trump’s expected veto.

The Senate, also narrowly controlled by Trump’s party, backed his military campaign against Iran in a vote on Wednesday, voting to block a bipartisan resolution similar to the measure passed by the House. The votes this week are not the end of the matter. The War Powers Resolution of 1973, which provides for votes on the resolutions, says a president can only involve the military in an armed conflict when Congress has declared war or provided specific authority or in response to an attack.

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Trump and his Republicans have argued that Iran posed an “imminent threat” so that his actions were legal under that law.

However, the War Powers measure also requires unauthorized military actions to be terminated within 60 days, giving the Trump administration a deadline at the end of April to seek Congress’ approval.