House of Representatives Approves Resolution to End Iran War

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the war with Iran. The vote reflects growing frustration in Congress over the war and the limited oversight that lawmakers have been able to do.

The resolution passed by a vote of 214 to 208. It is a symbolic rebuke to President Trump for a war that Congress never authorized. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it is a clear sign of congressional discontent. It is the second such resolution the House has passed since the war began, NPR notes.

The attacks between the United States and Iran appear to be intensifying again. According to the Pentagon, 18 U.S. soldiers have been killed in combat since February, four of them since July 17. An additional 500 U.S. troops have been injured, 100 of them in the past two weeks.

The resolution's sponsor, Democrat Pramila Jayapal of Washington, said the vote sends a clear message to President Trump that Congress will not continue to tolerate what she calls an illegal war. "From the beginning, this war has had no clear mission, strategy or end goal. There has been no consultation with Congress," Jayapal said.

Four Republicans — Tom Barrett, Brian Fitzpatrick, Warren Davidson and Thomas Massie — voted with Democrats in favor of the resolution. Republicans who opposed the resolution have defended the war as a necessary measure given Iran's past attacks on Americans and U.S. interests in the region.

Shortly after the House vote, Senate Democrats also tried to advance a similar war powers resolution, but it failed in the Senate by a vote of 47 to 49.