The US House of Representatives has voted against a resolution proposed by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, which aimed to ensure that President Trump must receive Congressional approval before continuing military operations against Tehran. The proposal was rejected with a vote of 212 against 219, following a similar defeat in the Senate the previous day. Democrats are expected to call for new votes, arguing that Trump's administration has provided inconsistent reasons for initiating military actions and has failed to prove that Iran poses an immediate threat necessitating swift military response.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for not taking the opportunity to oppose Trump’s war against Iran, suggesting that rejecting the resolution would have been widely popular. He stated that instead of saying 'no' to Trump’s military actions, they enthusiastically said 'yes,' making this conflict equally their responsibility as it is Trump’s. Schumer's comments highlight the ongoing partisan divisions regarding military engagement and the power dynamics surrounding war declarations.

According to the Constitution, Congress has the sole authority to declare war, a principle that has been a contentious issue in US military policy since the Vietnam War. The rejection of this resolution marks a critical point in discussions regarding presidential war powers, emphasizing ongoing debates about the balance of power between Congress and the presidency in matters of national security.