House Republican leaders on Thursday pulled a planned vote on a war powers measure that would have restricted President Donald Trump’s ability to continue U.S. military operations in Iran, after it became clear the bill would pass. Lawmakers will be forced to take the measure up when Congress returns from its Memorial Day recess, with the House scheduled to vote on it in early June.
The Democratic-backed resolution, authored by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, would direct the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran except for those elements necessary to defend the United States or an ally from imminent attack. It was offered under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which generally gives a president 60 days to engage in military hostilities before Congress must authorize continued action or declare war.
Support for congressional action to rein in the White House has grown, including some Republicans, as the conflict that began Feb. 28 — launched without a formal congressional authorization — has had domestic and economic fallout. Lawmakers and officials have pointed to disrupted global energy supplies and rising gasoline prices as contributing to fraying support. The Pentagon has said the Iran campaign has cost about $25 billion so far; at least 13 U.S. service members have died and hundreds have been wounded.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders condemned the postponement, calling Republicans “cowardly” for avoiding a vote on what Democrats characterize as an illegal and costly war. On the floor after the cancellation, Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, demanded an explanation and accused Republicans of lacking the courage to be accountable to service members.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise defended the decision, saying some GOP members who wanted to be recorded on the vote were absent and would be given the opportunity to cast votes when the chamber reconvenes.
The dispute also involves how to interpret and apply the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Trump has argued the statute doesn’t apply because a cease-fire with Iran remains in effect; administration officials have also discussed renaming the campaign — which one report said might move from the name “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer” — a change that could be used to argue the 60-day clock restarts.
A similar war powers measure nearly passed the House last week but fell on a tie, with three Republicans joining Democrats in support. One Democrat who previously opposed that resolution, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, said he would back it if brought up again.
The postponement came amid a series of other contentious votes in the chamber. Earlier Thursday the House rejected bipartisan legislation authorizing a site for a women’s history museum after GOP amendments excluding transgender people from exhibits were added. Observers noted that eight Republicans have been consistently absent during the current series of roll calls.
The Senate has also seen movement on a separate war powers resolution. It advanced toward a final vote earlier this week after a procedural step, with Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana among a small number of Republicans who supported moving it forward; several Republican senators missed that 50-47 tally.
Meeks filed his House resolution Wednesday, which triggered the internal clock requiring GOP leaders to schedule a vote. With the House set to return June 2, members will face a deadline tied to that clock and must ultimately vote on the measure then.