US House Votes to End War with Iran in Symbolic Move
Shola Lawal
On June 3, the U.S. House passed a resolution invoking the War Powers Act to demand President Trump end the war with Iran. The 215-208 vote saw four Republicans break ranks, marking growing dissent. However, the resolution is largely symbolic due to anticipated Senate opposition and Trump's veto power.
On June 3, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a resolution demanding President Donald Trump end the war with Iran, marking the first time lawmakers successfully used the War Powers Act to intervene in a conflict now entering its fourth month.
The vote came amid growing opposition within the Republican Party, as the war has caused catastrophic consequences—from thousands of civilian deaths to global trade disruptions—alongside President Trump's failure to secure a concrete, lasting peace deal with Iran.
According to the tally, 215 lawmakers supported the resolution and 208 opposed it. Four Republican representatives—Tom Barrett (Michigan), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Thomas Massie (Kentucky), and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania)—crossed party lines to vote with Democrats, signaling deepening dissent against the Trump administration's policy.
The War Powers Act, enacted in 1973, requires the president to seek congressional approval before committing forces to hostilities. Only in the event of an imminent attack on the U.S. may the president unilaterally deploy troops, but must notify Congress within 48 hours and withdraw after 60 days if Congress does not declare war.
Critics argue that the Iran war, initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, did not qualify as an emergency, and that President Trump failed to withdraw forces after 60 days (around April 29) as mandated. This is the third time since the war began that Democrats in the House have sought to invoke the act, but the previous two attempts failed.
However, the new resolution is binding only in the House. To become enforceable law, the Senate must also pass it. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate. Two weeks ago, a similar Senate vote failed 50-47, despite support from four Republican senators. Even if the Senate approves, President Trump has veto power. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers, deemed unlikely under current circumstances.
Additionally, the Trump administration argues that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, effective April 8, technically means the U.S. is no longer at war. On May 1, President Trump declared that the ceasefire had ended the conflict, though the U.S. continues to blockade Iranian ports and attack Iranian vessels, while Tehran maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
During congressional hearings on June 2-3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted, "The Iran war is over." However, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen accused Rubio of irresponsibility, noting that the administration submits war powers notifications to Congress while continuing airstrikes and Iran bombs U.S. embassies and bases in the Middle East.
Notably, on May 12, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the April 8 ceasefire had reset the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Act, meaning the administration can continue airstrikes on Iran without congressional approval. "If the president decides to restart the Iran war, we have full authority to do so," Hegseth said.
