House Republican leaders on Thursday postponed a vote on a Democratic war powers resolution that would compel President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran, pushing action into June after lawmakers leave for the Memorial Day recess. GOP leaders said the delay would give absent members a chance to vote, but the move came as it became clear the measure might pass.
Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, sponsored the resolution. It would direct the president to remove forces from operations against Iran except those needed to defend the United States or allies from imminent attack. A similar measure nearly passed last week on a 212-212 tie, with three Republicans in favor.
In the Senate, four Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday to advance a related war powers resolution in a 50-47 procedural vote, with three GOP senators absent. Some lawmakers in both parties argue that Trump’s legal authority to continue the war without congressional approval has expired under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which gives presidents 60 days before Congress must authorize force.
Trump launched strikes against Iran on February 28 without congressional approval. The White House maintains the operations are legal under the president’s commander-in-chief authority. The House must vote on Meeks’ resolution when it returns on June 2.
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Sources:
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/5/22/headlines