House Republicans on Thursday delayed a vote on a war powers resolution that would restrict President Donald Trump’s ability to continue U.S. military operations in Iran. The move came after it became clear that the legislation would pass. Lawmakers delay planned votes on the matter until after they return from Memorial Day recess in June.
The House had scheduled a vote on a war powers resolution, brought by Democrats, that would rein in Trump’s military campaign. But as it became clear that Republicans would not have the numbers to defeat the bill, GOP leaders declined to hold a vote on it. It was the latest sign of the slipping support in Congress for a war that Trump launched more than two months ago without congressional approval.
BREAKING: House Republicans just pulled the vote on our War Powers Resolution — because they knew it would pass.
The GOP doesn’t care about your skyrocketing costs for gas, groceries, and everything else.
They only care about appeasing Trump.
— Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) May 21, 2026
“We had the votes without question and they knew it, and as a result, they’re playing a political game,” said Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the bill.
In a joint statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders said Republicans had been “cowardly” in pulling the vote on the Iran war, which has killed at least 13 U.S. service members, wounded hundreds of others and the Pentagon says cost $25 billion so far.
Congressional support for the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which Trump launched on Feb. 28 without lawmakers’ approval, has been slipping even among Republicans as the conflict disrupts global energy supplies and sends U.S. gas prices soaring.
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Open in new tab | The Canceled Iran War Resolution Vote | |
|---|---|
| Category | Details |
| The Event | House Republicans unexpectedly canceled a scheduled vote on a War Powers Resolution that would compel President Donald Trump to end the U.S. war with Iran. |
| The Sponsors | The measure was brought forward by Democrats, notably championed by Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. |
| The Reason | GOP leaders faced critical lawmaker absences and lacked the numbers to defeat the bill. After a nearly identical resolution recently ended in a 212-212 tie, it became clear this new measure had enough bipartisan support to pass. |
| The Law | Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president has 60 days to engage in a military conflict before Congress must formally declare war or authorize the use of military force. The current Iran conflict has exceeded that timeframe. |
| The Responses | House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other caucus leaders called the move "cowardly," while Republicans (including Majority Leader Steve Scalise) argued the delayed vote was necessary to ensure absent lawmakers could weigh in. |
| Next Steps | Action on the resolution has been delayed until Congress returns from recess in June 2026, setting the stage for a major constitutional showdown over the executive branch's authority to wage war. |
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