US House rejects war powers resolution to end Trump’s hostilities with Iran

US House rejects war powers resolution to end Trump’s hostilities with Iran Democratic-backed measure that would have forced US to withdraw troops failed by a vote of 212-219 Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox The US House of Representatives on Thursday voted down a Democratic-backed measure to halt hostilities with Iran, as Republicans cleared the way for Donald Trump to continue the conflict that has drawn in countries across the Middle East, but criticized as having unclear goals. By a vote of 212-219, the House voted to reject a war powers resolution proposed by Thomas Massie, a Republican representative, and Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative, which would have forced the US to withdraw from the conflict until Congress authorized military action. The vote was largely along party lines, with two Republicans breaking with their party to support the resolution, and four Democrats voting against it. The measure’s failure in the House came after the Senate GOP rejected a similar war powers resolution on Wednesday. Republicans control both chambers of Congress and their leaders have made clear that they believe Trump was authorized to initiate the air and naval campaign that began over the weekend, prompting Tehran to launch drones and missiles across the Middle East. Six US troops have been killed, as well as 1,230 people in Iran. “I think passage of a war powers resolution right now [is a] terrible, dangerous idea,” Mike Johnson, the House Republican speaker, said at a Wednesday press conference. “It would empower our enemies, it would kneecap our own forces and it would take the ability of the US military and the commander-in-chief away from completing this critical mission to keep everybody safe.” The military campaign against Iran came after weeks of negotiations intended to resolve the question of its nuclear program. While the Trump administration gave advance notice of the president’s decision to attack alongside ...