House to Vote on Ending Iran War as GOP Defections Grow

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on Wednesday on a resolution directing President Donald Trump to end American involvement in the war with Iran, marking a pivotal constitutional confrontation between Congress and the executive branch over war powers. The vote on H.Con.Res. 38 comes after weeks of procedural delays, canceled votes, and mounting bipartisan frustration with a conflict that has now entered its fourth month.

The Resolution and Its Path

H.Con.Res. 38, introduced in June 2025 by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and co-sponsored by 94 Democrats, invokes Section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires the President to remove U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities if Congress so directs. The resolution would compel Trump to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military force.

The vote has been a long time coming. The resolution failed in the House on March 5, 2026, by a 212-219 margin. A subsequent war powers resolution failed in a 212-212 tie on May 14 after three Republicans — Massie, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) — crossed party lines. On May 21, House Republican leaders abruptly canceled a scheduled vote when it became clear they lacked sufficient votes to defeat it, postponing action until after the Memorial Day recess.

According to The Guardian, the cancellation avoided political embarrassment for Trump but drew fierce criticism from Democrats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement calling Republican leadership “cowardly” for canceling the vote.

“For nearly three months, Donald Trump has forced America and our men and women in uniform into a reckless and costly war of choice in Iran,” the Democratic leaders said. “Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth took us to war without clear objectives, an exit strategy, public support or the authorization required by the United States Congress.”

A War Without Congressional Approval

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28, 2026, with surprise airstrikes targeting Iranian military and government sites, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The attacks came during ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel, U.S. bases, and U.S.-allied Arab countries, and closed the Strait of Hormuz — disrupting global oil trade and driving up gas prices across the United States.

A temporary ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but peace talks remain stalled over disagreements on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and management of the Strait of Hormuz. The war has cost an estimated $29 billion, according to Defense Department officials, and has killed at least 13 U.S. service members.

Under the War Powers Resolution, presidents must withdraw from a conflict 60 days after notifying Congress. The Trump administration hit this deadline in early May 2026. The White House argues that the ceasefire has “terminated” hostilities, making the deadline inapplicable — a claim disputed by legal experts. CBS News reported that Rep. Fitzpatrick dismissed the administration’s argument, saying: “We’re past 60 days so it’s got to be brought to us to vote on. We’re following the law.”

Eroding Republican Support

Republican support for the war has eroded significantly since March. Initially, House Republicans voted nearly unanimously to block war powers resolutions. By May, three House Republicans and four Senate Republicans had defected. The erosion is attributed to the war’s mounting costs, rising gas prices from the Strait of Hormuz disruption, declining public approval, and the expiration of the 60-day legal deadline.

Time magazine reported that Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “We had the votes to pass it today. Every Democrat was on board, we had the sufficient number of Republicans on board.”

Rep. Fitzpatrick predicted the resolution would pass when finally brought to a vote. “The next time they bring it, it’s passing,” he told Politico, according to The Guardian.

The Senate has already advanced a separate war powers resolution. On May 19, the Senate voted 50-47 to move the measure forward, with four Republican senators — Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), and Bill Cassidy (LA) — joining Democrats. Cassidy, who had just lost his primary after Trump endorsed a rival candidate, said: “Until the Administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.”

Public Opinion and Political Stakes

The war has become deeply unpopular. An AP-NORC poll published on May 20 found that 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran. A New York Times/Siena poll conducted May 11-15 found that 65% of respondents somewhat or strongly disapproved of how Trump has handled the war.

Even if the resolution passes both chambers, the path forward is uncertain. Trump has threatened to veto the measure and has argued that the War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional — a position held by many presidents since the law was passed over Richard Nixon’s veto in 1973. A veto would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override.

Eugene Gholz, an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, told Time that a veto could carry political costs. “If the President were to veto that, he’s likely to suffer some political cost in public opinion or political capital on Capitol Hill,” Gholz said.

What Comes Next

The House vote on Wednesday represents a defining test of whether Congress can reclaim its constitutional authority over military engagements. If the resolution passes, it would put enormous pressure on the Senate to act and on Trump to comply or veto. Meanwhile, Trump has warned military officials to “be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable deal is not reached,” as NBC News reported.

With peace talks stalled, a ceasefire that neither side considers permanent, and a president threatening renewed hostilities, the constitutional showdown over war powers is only just beginning.