The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran.
In a razor-thin vote of 214 to 213 on Thursday (16 April), lawmakers rejected a Democratic-led war powers resolution that would have required the president to halt military action unless Congress formally authorised it.
The outcome came just a day after a similar proposal failed in the Senate, dealing another blow to Democrats seeking a greater say over U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
The measure, brought under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, aimed to reassert Congress’s constitutional role in declaring war. Democrats argue that the U.S. Constitution is clear: only Congress has the authority to take the country into war.
Yet, as has often been the case across modern presidencies, the White House and most Republicans insist that the commander-in-chief retains the power to order limited military action, particularly when national security is at stake.
They maintain that Trump’s actions - part of a campaign launched alongside Israel on 28 February - are lawful and necessary to protect U.S. interests.
The vote largely followed party lines. Almost every Republican opposed the resolution, with just one breaking ranks and another abstaining. One Democrat voted against it.
Despite some unease within Republican ranks over the cost and trajectory of the conflict, party support for the president has held firm more than six weeks into the fighting.
Still, anxiety is growing on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers from both sides are increasingly wary of the war’s mounting financial burden, its uncertain objectives and the possibility of a wider regional escalation.
Speaking ahead of the vote, senior Democrat Gregory Meeks struck a stark tone: “We are standing at the edge of a cliff, and Congress must act before this president pushes us off. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.”
Questions over the cost of the war have only added to concerns. At recent hearings, White House budget director Russ Vought declined to provide a clear estimate, and did not confirm suggestions from Senator Jeff Merkley that the price tag may already have reached $50 billion.
Although the resolution failed, Democrats say the effort is far from futile. Forcing votes, they argue, puts lawmakers on record and keeps pressure on the administration.
With Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate pledging to bring the issue back again, the battle over who controls America’s war powers looks set to continue – even as the conflict itself shows no clear sign of ending.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
More than 8,300 participants from 100 countries have gathered in Uzbekistan's capital for the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026...
Seven people have been arrested in Italy over suspected sabotage attacks on high-speed railway lines during the Winter Olympics earlier this year....
Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported energy was laid bare by the U.S.-Iran conflict, which disrupted regional supplies, drove up costs and exposed vu...
Following Armenia’s parliamentary vote, AnewZ spoke to people in Yerevan about the mood in the capital, relations with Azerbaijan and the country’...
Seven people have been arrested in Italy over suspected sabotage attacks on high-speed railway lines during the Winter Olympics earlier this year.
The UK has unveiled a major new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the shadow fleet, military supply chains and financial networks that support the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.
Russian sailors aboard a naval frigate fired warning shots at a civilian yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday after the vessel reportedly came too close, according to a source familiar with the incident.
QatarEnergy is prepared to rapidly restore liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its Ras Laffan complex once shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz return to normal, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Seven people have been arrested in Italy over suspected sabotage attacks on high-speed railway lines during the Winter Olympics earlier this year.
Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported energy was laid bare by the U.S.-Iran conflict, which disrupted regional supplies, drove up costs and exposed vulnerabilities in the country's energy security. However, a proposed peace agreement now offers hope for economic relief.
The UK has unveiled a major new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the shadow fleet, military supply chains and financial networks that support the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.
Russian sailors aboard a naval frigate fired warning shots at a civilian yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday after the vessel reportedly came too close, according to a source familiar with the incident.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) have called for a strong and coordinated international response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, urging countries to commit more resources to contain the spread of the virus.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment