Trump Faces Setback in House Vote on Iran War Powers

President Donald Trump experienced a defeat in the House of Representatives on Wednesday as Democrats, supported by a few Republicans, voted to curtail his war powers in Iran.

Lawmakers voted 215-208 to prevent troops from engaging in military actions against Iran without congressional approval. All Democrats present supported the measure, along with four Republicans: Reps. Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Tom Barrett.

Massie and Davidson have previously expressed opposition to the war in Iran, while Fitzpatrick and Barrett face challenging re-election campaigns in competitive districts.

Meanwhile, thousands gathered at Revolution Square in Tehran to protest U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, carrying flags and posters of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“It’s just a total BS vote,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast. “They just want a stupid political vote, which is what this is.”

This vote represents a symbolic loss for Trump, given an anticipated presidential veto and the absence of a veto-proof majority. Trump administration officials contend the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which mandates congressional oversight of military action, is unconstitutional.

The Senate adopted a similar resolution in May, but there hasn’t been a unified measure from both chambers to present to Trump.

Kuwait, a U.S. ally, condemned the ongoing Iranian attacks after an airport was hit.

Some Republicans fear the war powers resolution could undermine efforts to resolve the conflict, which has eased since the first ceasefire in April.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast criticized the resolution devised by Rep. Gregory Meeks as a “BS vote.”

Republican leaders initially postponed the vote in late May due to GOP attendance issues.

“We had a vote because of this president’s war of choice that was going to pass. We had the votes,” stated Gregory Meeks.