The US House of Representatives on Thursday for the second time passed a war powers resolution directing Donald Trump to withdraw the US military from the conflict with Iran, as renewed fighting in the Middle East has driven oil prices to their in weeks. The measure, proposed by Democrat Pramila Jayapal, passed 214-208 with four Republicans joining all Democrats in attendance to vote in favor.
Why did the House vote again on Iran?
The vote followed the House last month a similar resolution, which in a significant bipartisan rebuke of the president’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iran in February. The latest resolution was intended to direct Trump to withdraw US forces from the conflict with Iran, but it is largely symbolic because the Trump administration has argued that such measures are unconstitutional.
What did Democrats say after the vote?
In debate ahead of the vote, the top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, Greg Meeks, accused the president of violating the law.
“Let me be clear: this body has already spoken. The war powers resolution passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. The Trump administration was required to end its hostilities against . It has not,”
Meeks said he planned to introduce legislation to compel Mike Johnson, the House speaker, to sue Trump to force his compliance with the resolutions. Johnson is a close ally of Trump, and any such measure is unlikely to advance in this Congress.
How does this fit into broader US action on Iran?
The resolution’s passage came a day after House Republicans advanced both a $95bn that will chiefly be spent on military needs related to the Iran war, and a $1.15tn defense spending bill. The votes underscored continuing tensions in Washington over the administration’s handling of the conflict and the use of military force.
How is the conflict affecting the region?
Fighting has meanwhile renewed in the Middle East, with Iran striking US military bases around the region in recent days amid retaliatory American airstrikes. The Tehran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have threatened to halt Saudi oil shipments through the Red Sea, and announced Thursday they had attacked two tankers, which drove crude prices upwards.
Key Facts
- The House passed the resolution 214-208 on Thursday.
- Four Republicans joined all Democrats in attendance to support the measure.
- The resolution was proposed by Democrat Pramila Jayapal.
- House Republicans also advanced a $95bn package and a $1.15tn defense spending bill.
