House Ties 212-212 on Third Vote to Limit Trump's Iran War Powers

WASHINGTON — The House voted for a third time against curbing President Trump's military powers in Iran, despite rising Republican concerns over the drawn-out conflict.

Thursday's vote on a Democratic resolution to restrict Trump's authority ended in a 212-212 tie, one vote short of a majority. Introduced by Rep. Josh Gottheimer on March 4, the measure would have required the president to pull U.S. forces from hostilities within 30 days of the war's start on Feb. 28.

"I didn't want to have to bring this resolution to the floor. I had hoped that the administration would have changed course after I introduced it and properly briefed the Congress and the country," Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, said during Wednesday night floor debate.

Gottheimer backed the Trump administration's efforts to crush the Iranian regime but criticized officials for leaving lawmakers in the dark without formal briefings.

The war hit a key deadline on May 1 under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which mandates withdrawal of forces after 60 days without congressional authorization. The 60-day clock began March 2, when the president notified Congress of the hostilities.

Trump notified Congress on May 1 that hostilities with Iran had terminated, citing no exchange of fire since the April 7 ceasefire. The administration claims the ceasefire halted the 60-day clock, even as tensions have flared near the Strait of Hormuz.

Thursday marked the House's first vote on the issue since the deadline passed. Three Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Tom Barrett of Michigan — voted yes. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote no.

Barrett proposed an authorization for use of military force on May 7, allowing Trump to continue operations until July 30. It has drawn one GOP cosponsor, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska. Rep. Blake Moore of Utah has voiced support for Barrett's measure.

"Two things have been clear from the very beginning: Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the United States of America cannot be dragged into another endless war," Barrett said in a statement. He called on Congress to define the mission with safeguards and a deadline.

Support for the resolutions has grown since the House's initial vote in early March, when four Democrats joined nearly all Republicans to defeat it. Three of those Democrats switched in the April vote, though one early Republican backer voted present.

The Senate has blocked seven Democratic war powers efforts, the latest failing Wednesday. Democrats gained votes from Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Sen. Rand Paul has steadily sided with them.

Murkowski, who plans her own military force authorization, backed the latest resolution over unclear administration guidance on the war. "We're in a different place than we were last time we voted on this," she said, pointing to the 60-day deadline.

Democrats in both chambers intend to keep pushing votes, aiming to win over more Republicans.

"There will be a day, and it might be soon, I believe, where this Senate will say to the president, 'stop this war,'" Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said Wednesday. "I believe that day is coming."

Kaine noted Congress lacks the two-thirds majority to override a veto but said votes could pressure Trump to halt further action.

Nearly a dozen Congressional Progressive Caucus members have filed war powers resolutions, setting up potential votes for weeks.

"We will keep holding Republicans in Congress accountable for as long as they enable this reckless, illegal war," said Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, the caucus leader, in a statement.