House Republican leadership abruptly canceled a vote on a resolution to limit President Trump’s war powers regarding Iran, multiple outlets reported Thursday. The decision came after Republicans lost control of the chamber floor during an earlier unrelated ballot, with several members defecting and others absent. As House proceedings descended into disorder, leaders fearing further political setbacks abandoned the measure.
The move follows a similar Senate resolution advancing in a 50-47 vote last week, which saw three Republican senators—John Cornyn of Texas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina—opt out of voting. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar condemned the cancellation in a joint statement, noting the legislation would have passed with bipartisan support to compel the president to end U.S. military action against Iran.
“Republicans cowardly pulled a scheduled vote on a War Powers Resolution—legislation that would have passed with bipartisan support and required the President to end the conflict in the Middle East,” Jeffries’ team stated. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), who sponsored the bill, confirmed the House vote is now expected to resume in early June after Memorial Day recess.
Meeks previously told reporters that House Speaker Mike Johnson had been stalling the measure, citing pressure on Republican colleagues over rising costs of food and gas. “A lot of my Republican colleagues are feeling the pressure back home,” Meeks said.
The Senate’s earlier vote highlighted growing discontent within Trump’s party, as the president recently claimed public support for his Middle East campaign despite polls showing most Americans view it as unwarranted. “Look, everyone tells me it’s unpopular, but I think it’s very popular when you hear that it’s having to do with nuclear weapons,” Trump stated at the White House this week.
The canceled House vote leaves Republicans with no margin for further defections after a narrow failure in the chamber last week. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), who supported the resolution earlier, warned: “The next time they bring it, it’s passing.”
