The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at blocking President Donald Trump's war against Iran. Some Republicans voted in favor, revealing bipartisan concern over a prolonged war.
According to Reuters on the 3rd (local time), the House passed the war powers resolution by a vote of 215 to 208, with four Republican members voting in favor. The four Republicans who voted yes were Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. No Democratic members voted against it, and seven did not participate.
The war powers resolution directs President Trump to withdraw US troops from Iran unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force. In other words, it means that congressional approval must be obtained to continue the war.
To take legal effect, the resolution must pass the Senate, and even after congressional passage, debate is expected over whether the war powers resolution is constitutional. Nevertheless, Reuters analyzed that the passage of this resolution is "a rare bipartisan move to check the president's war powers as the war enters its fourth month" and "reflects unease among some Republican members." Representative Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and sponsor of the resolution, said in a statement after the vote, "Today's passage of the war powers resolution marks an important turning point." He added, "A growing number of Republican members are listening to the voices of voters who do not want an endless war in the Middle East."
President Trump, who has enjoyed full Republican support, has recently faced backlash from within the party. The "vote on the Ukraine aid bill" that passed the House on the same day was also made possible with the support of some Republican members. The Ukraine aid bill provides security support to Ukraine against Russia's invasion, and became eligible for a floor vote last month when 218 signatures were collected. Six Republican members and one independent classified as pro-Republican voted in favor of advancing the vote.
Republican members also pushed back against a plan to create a "weaponization fund" to compensate Trump's political allies if they claim to have been subjected to government suppression. On the 3rd, Republican members also poured out criticism over the nomination of Bill Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence.
Ahead of the November midterm elections, Democrats are continuing their offensive against President Trump by making the livelihood economy a central agenda. Democrats are warning that President Trump is dragging the US into a prolonged war without a clear strategy, while strongly criticizing the price increases caused by the war. In April, US producer prices rose at the largest pace in four years due to the cost of goods and services that surged after the war.
