The Republicans struggled to gather the necessary votes on Thursday to reject a bill that would have forced President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran, postponing the planned votes on the issue until June.
The House had scheduled a vote on a resolution regarding war powers, presented by Democrats, which would have curtailed Mr. Trump’s military campaign.
But when it became clear that Republicans would not have the votes needed to reject the bill, Republican Party leaders refused to bring it to a vote.
This is the latest indication of waning support in Congress for a war that Mr. Trump initiated over two months ago without Congressional approval.
“We had the necessary votes, there was no doubt, and they knew it; therefore, they are playing a political game,” said Democratic representative Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the bill.
In the Senate, Republican members are also working to ensure they have the necessary votes to reject another resolution on war powers that was brought to a final vote earlier in the week, during which four Republican senators supported the resolution and three others were absent.
Congressional leaders’ actions have shown that Republicans are struggling to maintain political support for Mr. Trump’s handling of the war. Grassroots Republicans are increasingly willing to challenge the president on the conflict.
House Republican leader Steve Scalise mentioned to journalists that the vote was postponed to give absent lawmakers a chance to vote.
House Speaker Mike Johnson did not respond to questions from journalists as he left the chamber.
Frustration is growing at the Capitol as the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global maritime transport and raises gas prices in the U.S.
Another House resolution on war powers nearly passed last week, but the vote ended in a tie, with three Republicans voting in favor.
“People are finally starting to listen to Americans who do not support the war in Iran, and I think an increasing number of Republicans realize how devastating this war has been for our country,” emphasized Democratic representative Adam Smith from Washington state.
The only Democrat to vote against the war powers resolution last week, representative Jared Golden from Maine, stated that he would vote in favor of the legislation next time.
Republicans have largely supported Mr. Trump’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but some now argue that the president’s legal deadline to wage war without Congressional approval has expired.
Under the 1973 war powers resolution, presidents have 60 days to engage in a military conflict before Congress must either declare war or authorize the use of military force.
The White House contends that the requirements of the war powers resolution no longer apply due to the ceasefire with Iran.
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who has previously voted against war powers resolutions, expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s position, particularly that of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“In the current status quo, Pete Hegseth is showing how incompetent he is,” Tillis told journalists, adding that he would consider voting in favor of an authorization to use military force.
For Congress, the growing momentum for adopting a war powers resolution could ultimately lead to a legal showdown to determine who holds the final authority on military conflicts.
The text submitted to the House is a joint resolution that lawmakers argue would take effect without Mr. Trump’s signature if it were adopted by both chambers of Congress.
