Congress Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran

The House and Senate have both voted down a resolution to restrict President Trump's war in Iran.

The Details: The War Powers Resolution would've given Congress the ability to require Congressional authorization before the US could continue military action in Iran. It failed to pass in the Senate 47-53 and 212-219 in the House, largely along party lines. Two Republican representatives voted to support the resolution with four Democrats opposing it, and one Democratic senator voted against the resolution with one Republican voting in support. 

For Context: The Trump administration has offered mixed messaging on its military operations in Iran, including on whether the US is at war, its purpose and the estimated timeline of the operation. A recent poll by NBC News (Lean Left bias) found 52% of US voters were against military action in Iran. Another 54% disapproved of Trump's handling of the conflict versus 41% who approved. According to Straight Arrow News (Center), some reports indicate the Trump administration is preparing to ask Congress for $50 billion in funding to continue the war. 

How the Media Covered It: Many outlets on the right highlighted Republican support for the war. The National Desk (Right) framed the vote as an early test of Trump's strategy and quoted him praising the strength of the US military and defending his decision to take action in Iran. Daily Wire (Right) wrote, Trump's war will continue without "Congressional shackles." The Hill (Center) said the House vote was "largely symbolic" after the Senate had already voted it down. It highlighted Democrat arguments that it's important to reestablish Congress's war powers and also Republican arguments that Trump, like every other president, has authority under the War Powers Act. Associated Press (Left) emphasized the impact of the decision, writing the Senate vote forced lawmakers to "take a stand on the war shaping the fate of US military members, countless other lives and the future of the region." It also described Trump's efforts to find support for the war as a "scramble" that is surrounded by uncertainty.

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