“Instead, they enthusiastically said yes, and now they own this war with Iran just as much as Donald Trump does.”Under the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war. The 1973 War Powers Resolution — passed after the Vietnam War — was intended to prevent presidents from committing US forces to prolonged conflicts without congressional consent. The failed House resolution invoked that law, directing the president to withdraw US forces from “unauthorized hostilities” involving Iran unless lawmakers explicitly approve the operation. But Republican leaders rallied behind Trump, arguing that limiting his authority during an ongoing military campaign would embolden Iran and endanger US troops. “I think passage of a war powers resolution right now would be a terrible, dangerous idea… It would empower our enemies,” House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters ahead of the vote.

Source: Punch March 05, 2026 22:18 UTC