The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution to rein in President Donald Trump's powers to attack Iran without congressional authorization, marking a rare pushback against his military actions. This move comes as a stark rebuke to Trump's decision to join Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, an ongoing conflict that will reach its 100th day on Saturday. Trump's repeated use of military force abroad has frustrated some leaders in Congress, a body which the Constitution solely imbued with the power to declare war.
The resolution, which passed with a vote of 215 to 208, is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it represents a rare instance of Congress challenging the executive branch's authority in matters of war. Secondly, it highlights the growing divide among Republicans in Congress, with four Republicans joining Democrats to support the bill. This divide is particularly notable given the political manoeuvres that occurred, such as the cancellation of a vote on the eve of Congress's Memorial Day recess, which some interpreted as a Republican effort to scuttle the bill.
The resolution's passage is also a reflection of the public's growing disapproval of the US-Israel war against Iran. A poll from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion found that 60 percent of US citizens disapprove of Trump's approach to the war, a significant jump from 54 percent in March. This disapproval is not limited to Democrats; among Republicans, the number of disapprovers has increased from 15 percent to 22 percent. The war has also been costly for the US, with the Pentagon estimating a $29 billion expenditure so far, and some analysts project a much higher price tag.
The war has also raised constitutional concerns, as Congress holds the power to declare war, not the executive branch. Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Shontel Brown have emphasized this point, urging the Senate to swiftly pass the measure to end the war. However, the resolution faces an uphill battle in the Senate, as Trump is likely to veto any attempt to curtail his military powers. Only a bill passed with a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate can overcome a presidential veto, and neither the Senate's version nor the House's has breached that threshold yet.
In conclusion, the US House's resolution to rein in Trump's powers to attack Iran without congressional authorization is a significant and rare move. It reflects a growing divide among Republicans, public disapproval of the war, and constitutional concerns. While the resolution faces challenges in the Senate, its passage in the House is a powerful statement against Trump's military actions and a call for Congress to assert its authority in matters of war.
