Four House Democrats Side With Republicans On Trump’s Iran Strikes
Four Democrats voted with Republicans to greenlight President Donald Trump’s military action in Iran, breaking with the party’s leadership in the House.
The House voted against the War Powers Act (WPA) – introduced by Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna – by a vote of 212 to 219, just one day after the upper chamber voted along party lines to approve the president’s action in the Middle East. Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Greg Landsman of Ohio, Jared Golden of Maine and Juan Vargas of California left the party to support the president. (RELATED: Only one Republican supports failed attempt to restrict Trump’s military action in Iran)
Massie and Ohio Republican Rep. Warren Davidson were the only two Republicans to side with Democrats in supporting the measure.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called it “dangerous” because it would require the administration to immediately withdraw troops from the region. Some members said a rapid withdrawal could endanger its troops, as Iran actively targets U.S. troops, assets, embassies and allies in the region.
Half a dozen members, including Golden and Landsman, introduced alternative war powers legislation to thwart the Massie-Khanna resolution. The alternative measure would give the administration 30 days to cease military action in Iran and require the administration to regularly brief members of Congress and relevant committees on military operations and objectives.
Davidson was hesitant about the timing of the Iranian strikes, as the administration has planned for multiple possibilities ranging from three weeks to several months. Reports indicate that U.S. Central Command officials are preparing that the Iran campaign could last until September.
Discussions of additional defense funding are growing in Congress as some senators on the Armed Services Committee refuse to rule out allocating additional funds to replenish the defenses that keep the military safe. Johnson said Congress would pass additional funding to support the administration “when appropriate.”
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