The United States House of Representatives has voted for a third time to restrict President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval.
The war powers resolution passed by 220 votes to 204 on Tuesday, with all Democrats and seven Republicans backing the measure.
It marks the latest attempt by lawmakers to assert Congress’s authority over US military action in the conflict.
The House previously approved similar resolutions in June and July, but neither measure has brought an end to US military operations in Iran.
Under the latest resolution, President Trump would be required to obtain congressional authorisation to continue military action.
However, the measure faces significant obstacles. Previous resolutions did not reach the president’s desk, and the latest proposal is also expected to face opposition from the White House. (Los Angeles Times)
The vote comes as the conflict enters its seventh month and continues to fuel debate in Washington over the limits of presidential war powers.
Seven Republicans joined Democrats in supporting Tuesday’s resolution, including lawmakers who had not backed the earlier efforts.
Supporters argue that sustained military operations require Congress to exercise its constitutional authority over war-making decisions.
Republicans who opposed the measure, however, argued that Iran continues to pose a security threat and defended the president’s authority as commander-in-chief.
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the conflict has already cost the US more than $38bn, with monthly costs expected to rise further if the war continues.
The vote is likely to be one of the final major congressional actions on the conflict before lawmakers return to their constituencies ahead of November’s midterm elections.
For now, the House vote does not itself end US military operations in Iran, leaving the dispute over presidential and congressional war powers unresolved.
