House rejects war powers resolution to rein in Trump on Iran

<p>The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/26/iran-war-powers-vote-congress.html">war powers</a> resolution to restrict President <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a>'s authority to use the U.S. military in Iran. </p>
<p>The vote was 212-219, with four Democrats joining Republicans to torpedo the measure and two Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the measure. The Senate shot down a similar measure on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The votes, while largely symbolic, show Congress is not currently willing to rein in Trump on Iran. Trump began a bombardment of Iran on Saturday, which killed the country's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump and his <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/03/trump-iran-shifting-narrative-us-war.html">administration</a> have stated myriad aims for the conflict. </p>
<p>Democrats and some Republicans have argued that Trump needs the approval of Congress to conduct the operation. The Constitution vests the authority to declare war in Congress.</p>
<p>If it passed, the measure would have been largely symbolic. Trump is almost certain to veto any bill that would reduce his authority to use the military.</p>