House Republicans on Thursday canceled a scheduled vote on a war powers resolution aimed at ending the United States’ military involvement in Iran, a move that temporarily spared President Donald Trump from a potentially damaging political setback.
The decision signaled growing divisions within Congress over continued US involvement in the conflict. Lawmakers postponed the vote until June, when Congress returns from recess, although several members indicated the resolution could still gain enough bipartisan support to pass.
Meanwhile, top House Democrats strongly criticized Republican leadership for withdrawing the measure. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, accused Republicans of avoiding accountability and acting in the interests of the Trump administration.
In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had pushed the country into a costly war without congressional authorization, clear objectives or public support.
Furthermore, Democrats argued that the Republican-controlled House had acted to block legislation that could have ended the conflict in the Middle East.
According to reports, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick expressed confidence that the resolution would eventually pass once it returns for a vote. Fitzpatrick previously broke with his party to support an earlier Iran war powers measure.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, another critic of the war, is also expected to support the resolution when lawmakers reconvene in June.
Earlier this week, four Republican senators joined Democrats in advancing the Senate version of the war powers resolution after multiple previous attempts.
