U.S. House Republican leaders abruptly canceled a scheduled vote on Thursday on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's war powers in Iran, just as Republicans were on the verge of losing the vote due to absences. The resolution, introduced by New York Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, had been expected to pass with bipartisan support.
Democratic Leaders Condemn Cancellation
Top House Democratic leaders criticized the move, issuing a joint statement that said: "the Republican-controlled House continues to behave like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump administration." They added: "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." The statement was signed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.
Meeks Criticizes Political Games
Representative Meeks was similarly critical, telling reporters: "Here we are on the eve of Memorial Day, with prices for gasoline going up, prices for food going up. We had a vote because of this president’s war of choice that was going to pass, we had the votes without question, and they knew it, and as a result they’re playing a political game, they’re cheating and have delayed the vote until we get back." Meeks stated that the vote is now expected to take place in early June after the chamber returns from its Memorial Day recess.
Earlier in the week, Meeks had indicated he believed House Speaker Mike Johnson was stalling the vote. "A lot of my Republican colleagues are feeling the pressure back home when they’re looking at the cost of food, the cost of gas," Meeks said.
Senate Advances Similar Resolution
The Senate advanced a similar resolution earlier in the week to limit Trump's ability to carry out military action against Iran without congressional approval. The cancelled House vote comes after President Trump told reporters earlier this week that he believes the U.S. campaign against Iran has been popular among Americans. "Look, everyone tells me it’s unpopular, but I think it’s very popular when you, when they hear that it’s having to do with nuclear weapons, weapons that could take out Los Angeles, could take out major cities very quick," Trump said at the White House.
