President Donald Trump faced a significant political setback on Wednesday after the US House of Representatives (Members of Congress) approved a bipartisan resolution seeking to limit his authority to continue military operations against Iran, The New York Times reported earlier.
The resolution passed by a narrow 215-208 vote; four Republicans joined Democrats in support. The vote marks one of the strongest congressional challenges to Trump’s handling of the Iran war, which has now entered its fourth month.
Republican lawmakers are apparently furious over Trump’s strategy and the prolonged nature of the military campaign.
Republican leaders had previously delayed consideration of the measure after concluding they lacked sufficient support to defeat it. However, Democrats forced a vote under the War Powers Resolution, a federal law that requires Congress to consider such measures within a specified timeframe.
The vote outcome shows the toxic divisions between Trump and members of his own party as lawmakers increasingly distance themselves from the White House ahead of next year’s US midterm elections.
The resolution now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain.
Even if it clears both chambers, X commentators are unsure whether Congress can compel a president to withdraw military forces through such legislation.
The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that efforts to restrict presidential war powers are unconstitutional.