DID Press: US House of Representatives voted 220-204 on Tuesday to approve a war-powers resolution directing President Donald Trump to end U.S. military operations against Iran unless Congress authorizes continued action.
The measure marks the third time the House has approved a resolution seeking to restrict the president’s authority to continue military action against Iran. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.
The resolution does not itself constitute a declaration of war or provide an immediate mechanism for ending the conflict. Previous measures of this type have not reached the president. The latest vote is therefore primarily an assertion of congressional authority over continued U.S. military involvement.
Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war, while presidents have historically relied on existing statutory authorities and their constitutional powers to conduct military operations without a formal declaration of war.
According to the published text cited in the report, the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, while Washington and Tehran later reached an understanding on an immediate ceasefire in June. The text says U.S. air operations resumed on July 8, with Washington accusing Tehran of violating previous understandings concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
The vote comes as the financial and military costs of the conflict have become a growing issue in Congress. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the war had cost the United States more than $38 billion by August and could add roughly $3 billion per month if fighting continues.