House Republicans Delay Iran War Powers Vote Until June

House Republicans abruptly pulled a scheduled vote Thursday on a war powers resolution that would have forced President Trump to end U.S. military involvement in Iran. The move came after it became clear that enough Republicans planned to join Democrats in supporting the measure, leaving GOP leaders unwilling to risk a defeat.

The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, aims to limit the president's ability to continue operations without explicit congressional approval. Lawmakers had set the vote for Thursday before the Memorial Day recess, but leadership delayed action until June. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise acknowledged the absence of several members who wanted to record their positions, though the underlying reason appeared tied to fears the bill would pass.

The conflict began February 28 when Trump ordered strikes without prior congressional authorization. A shaky ceasefire has held since early April, yet the costs continue to mount. At least 13 American service members have been killed and hundreds more wounded. Pentagon estimates place the price tag at $25 billion so far. Global energy markets have been disrupted, pushing gasoline prices higher for American drivers already strained by inflation.

Support for the war has eroded even within Republican ranks. Last week the House rejected a similar measure in a 212-212 tie after three Republicans crossed party lines. The Senate advanced its own version earlier this week with backing from four GOP senators. These defections reflect growing unease over an open-ended commitment that echoes past interventions with little clear benefit to U.S. security.

Democratic leaders called the decision to pull the vote cowardly, arguing that Republicans were avoiding accountability for a conflict that has placed service members in harm's way. Meeks stated that Democrats had the votes and that Republicans were simply playing politics by delaying. The episode underscores the difficulty Trump faces in sustaining congressional backing for a war launched on executive authority alone.

Critics of prolonged Middle East engagements note that public tolerance for such fights has worn thin. Energy price spikes hit working families directly, while the human toll falls on the same communities that supply most military recruits. With lawmakers set to revisit the issue after recess, the question remains whether Congress will finally assert its constitutional role or continue deferring to the executive on matters of war and peace.