Congress Creeps Closer to Ending Trump’s War in Iran

On Thursday, the House of Representatives was meant to vote on a resolution compelling the administration to end the war in Iran until it was pulled from the floor just minutes before.

This would have been the fourth time the House would vote to end the war through the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a federal law that would force President Donald Trump to stop the use of force against Iran unless authorized by Congress.

The most recent vote fell short by just one vote in a 212-212 tie.

“Republicans realized House Democrats and the Senate were prepared to end this war, so they cowardly pulled the bill from the House floor,” Representative Julie Johnson (D-TX) said after the resolution was pulled from the floor.

But members from both sides are shifting toward the Democratic-backed push to end the war. Earlier in the week, the Senate advanced a similar war powers resolution with a 50-47 vote after several Republican senators voted in its favor. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) was one of them.

"While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” Sen. Cassidy wrote in a social media post.

Others still say they'd like to see the U.S. finish what it started.

"Whenever the time is right, I think we need to finish the job," Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) expressed.

Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said it will continue introducing the War Powers Resolutions until the conflict comes to an end.

“Trump’s war with Iran has been a complete disaster,” said Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), the Progressive Caucus member who introduced the latest resolution. “Trump has made a mockery of the Constitution and U.S. law, he’s caused massive price increases, and after months of war, we are not any safer.”

With the cost of the war surpassing its latest $29 billion price tag and no clear plan for when it will end, many members have grown frustrated by the lack of transparency from the administration.

The direct impact of the ongoing war on the American economy was also a point several members considered. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has continued to disrupt global shipping, spiking gas prices across the country.

Although Trump publicly stated he does not consider Americans’ financial situations when engaging in war negotiations, Rep. Veronica Escobar (R-TX) said otherwise.

“Here at home, Americans are bracing for higher fuel costs resulting from this war, while utility costs, groceries and the general cost of living continue to escalate,” Rep. Escobar said.

Rep. Johnson also voiced similar concerns.

“Families across North Texas are already feeling the pressure of rising costs, and another reckless conflict in the Middle East has driven gas prices even higher and put more strain on working Texans,” she said.