House rejects attempt to withdraw US troops from Iran war while Republican lawmakers stick with Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a resolution demanding that President Donald Trump withdraw U.S. troops from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. The vote was the latest to fall short as Republicans largely continue to support Trump’s operation.

He watches: Foote did not mention how much Trump has spent on the Iran war so far

Democrats expressed concern that the United States was becoming more entrenched in another long conflict in the Middle East. They promised to continue raising the issue through more votes on war powers in the coming weeks.

The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar attempt failed in the Senate. The United States and Israel struck Iran on February 28, and the fragile ceasefire entered its second week.

Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump’s use of military force.

“We are standing on the brink of the abyss, and Congress must act before the president acts,” said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Every day we delay, we get closer to a conflict with no way out.”

Republicans tried to paint these efforts as hypocritical.

Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the United States attacked Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president, said Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee’s chairman.

“When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine ships being attacked, it was fine. There was no need for a war force. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds – war power, war power, war power…that is hypocrisy.”

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize the use of force within 60 days, a deadline in the Iran war that expires at the end of April. The law provides for a possible 30-day extension, but lawmakers made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon develop a plan to end the war.

Although the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the war’s more negative effects: billions of dollars spent, the deaths of at least 13 military service members, rising gas prices, and divisions with longtime allies who do not support Trump’s actions.

“Home gas prices are $7 in the state I live in, and families are hurting,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 US troops will be sent to join the 50,000 troops already stationed in the Middle East with no strategy, plan or exit whatsoever.”

Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against the Iranian government, which has long terrorized the Middle East and its people.

“President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will ultimately be held accountable,” said Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican.

In Thursday’s vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote to remove US troops from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure.

The first House vote to limit Trump’s military actions with Iran in early March failed, by a vote of 212 to 219.