House rejects measure to withdraw U.S. forces, Iran

April 17, 2026

Summary

House lawmakers narrowly rejected a measure to require Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the Iran war without congressional approval.

Why this matters

The vote showed Congress remained divided over how much authority Trump should have to continue military action in Iran. It also kept focus on the War Powers Act deadline at the end of April, when lawmakers could face renewed pressure to authorize or end U.S. involvement.

The House on Thursday rejected a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action, the latest failed effort to limit the operation as most Republicans backed the president.

The measure failed 213-214, one day after a similar effort fell short in the Senate. The United States and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a ceasefire was in its second week.

Democrats said they were concerned the United States could become more deeply involved in another prolonged Middle East conflict and said they would continue pushing war powers votes in the coming weeks.

“We’re standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.”

Republicans said Democrats were applying a different standard than they did under President Joe Biden. Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, the committee chairman, said Congress did not vote on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024.

“When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. … That’s the hypocrisy.”

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize the use of force within 60 days, a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law allows a possible 30-day extension. Lawmakers said they wanted the administration to outline a plan for ending the war.

Democrats used the vote to point to the war’s costs, including billions of dollars in spending, the deaths of at least 13 service members, higher gas prices, and strains with allies that do not support Trump’s actions.

“Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 U.S. troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.”

Republicans defended Trump’s actions. “President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable,” said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote for the measure. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to oppose it. A previous House vote to curb Trump’s military action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.

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