House to Vote on Trump’s War Powers

The House of Representatives appears likely to vote next week on whether to advance a resolution restricting President Donald Trump’s authority to go to war with Iran.

The United States has continued to mobilize forces in the Middle East, and Trump has threatened “bad things” if the Iranian regime does not negotiate on its nuclear program.

Next week, Ro Khanna, D-Calif., will attempt to advance his War Powers Resolution on the House floor. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is a cosponsor of the resolution.

“Trump officials say there’s a 90% chance of strikes on Iran. He can’t without Congress,” Khanna wrote Wednesday on X. “[Massie] & I have a War Powers Resolution to debate & vote on war before putting U.S. troops in harm’s way. I will make a motion to discharge to force a vote on it next week.”

The War Powers Act of 1973 establishes a process for members of Congress to force a vote on whether to rein in the president’s ability to use military force.

Massie and Khanna’s resolution, introduced in June, would prohibit “unauthorized hostilities” against Iran. Although the resolution is unlikely to become law, the vote on whether to advance the resolution will put members of Congress on the record.

In January, a war powers resolution vote to rein in Trump’s powers to conduct war with Venezuela failed 215-215, with Republican Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie joining all Democrats in voting for it.

But some members have already indicated they do not intend to support the Iran resolution.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has already ruled out supporting Massie and Khanna’s resolution.

“This resolution would restrict the flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks signaling weakness at a dangerous moment,” Gottheimer writes in a joint statement with Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. 

Additionally, Bacon has said in a statement he believes Trump should use military force against Iran.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request from The Daily Signal for comment on the House war powers resolution or the likelihood of war with Iran.

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