The U.S. House of Representatives has handed President Donald Trump a key victory in the escalating conflict with Iran, narrowly defeating a bipartisan war powers resolution that sought to halt ongoing military operations without explicit congressional approval.
In a tense vote on Thursday, the resolution, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY-04) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), failed by a margin of 212-219. The measure aimed to direct the president to cease the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities against Iran as part of the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, unless Congress formally authorized continued action.
Massie and Khanna, frequent allies on issues challenging executive overreach, introduced the resolution amid growing concerns over the lack of congressional debate before the operation’s launch on February 28. U.S. and Israeli forces have since conducted extensive strikes, targeting Iranian missile sites, command centers, naval assets, remnants of nuclear facilities, and other infrastructure deemed imminent threats. The administration has described the mission as focused on eliminating Iran’s nuclear ambitions, destroying its missile capabilities, degrading proxy networks, and preventing future aggression—while also encouraging internal regime change by the Iranian people.
The House vote followed a similar defeat in the Senate on Wednesday, where a parallel effort was blocked largely along party lines (47-53). In the House, nearly all Republicans opposed the resolution, aligning with the Trump administration’s argument that the president is acting within his constitutional authority as commander in chief to respond to threats. Only two Republicans—Massie and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH-08)—voted in favor, joining most Democrats. A small number of Democrats crossed over to help sink the measure.
The administration and its congressional supporters maintain that Operation Epic Fury addresses clear dangers from Iran’s regime, including potential attacks on U.S. assets and allies. White House statements have consistently emphasized that the operation is expected to conclude within weeks, with no intention of a prolonged ground war.
Critics like Massie and Khanna question the shifting justifications for the strikes and the bypass of Congress’s war powers under the Constitution and the 1973 War Powers Resolution. The failed measure was largely symbolic, as any passed version would almost certainly face a presidential veto.
With both chambers now declining to intervene, Trump retains wide latitude to continue with military actions in coordination with Israel.
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
