Chicago – April 16, 2026
The House of Representatives narrowly rejected a war powers resolution Thursday that would have required President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress approved the mission, underscoring continued Republican support for the administration’s military strategy. The vote failed 214-213, a day after a similar effort was blocked in the Senate, leaving Trump with broad room to continue the conflict.
Democrats warned that the United States is sliding into another open-ended Middle East war without a clear exit strategy. They argued Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over war, especially as the conflict enters its third month and lawmakers face a coming deadline under the War Powers Act.
Republicans, meanwhile, defended Trump’s actions as necessary against Iran and largely stayed united behind him. Only Rep. Thomas Massie broke ranks to support the resolution, while Democrats said they would press the issue again in coming weeks.
