The American House of Representatives to Trump: End the war with Iran

The decision was made by a narrow majority of 214 supporters against 208 opponents. It was submitted by the Democratic member of the House of Representatives Premila Jayapal from Washington, and calls on the President to withdraw the American forces from fighting against Iran, its government or its military forces, including the possible use of ground forces for the purposes of combat or occupation, as long as Congress has not given explicit authorization for this.

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The vote comes against the background of the worsening of the fighting, the death of several American soldiers in Iranian attacks and the continuous increase in the costs of the war, at a time when there is still no clear path to its end in sight. Trump has so far dismissed concerns raised by Republicans about the political toll the war could take on the party in the midterm elections, and most members of the party continue to support his policies.

“It is absolutely essential that we uphold the constitutional powers granted to Congress in Article 1 of the Constitution, and especially in the wake of the latest round of hostilities in Iran, that we continue to express Congress’s opposition to this war,” Jayapal and Democratic Congressman Jason Crow of Colorado wrote in a letter to their colleagues ahead of the vote.

The Senate is also expected to vote later today on advancing a separate but similar resolution, so the conflict between Congress and the White House over the president’s war powers may intensify even more.

Huge financial significance

At the center of the controversy is the War Powers Act of 1973. Trump informed Congress on July 10 that military activity against Iran had officially resumed, after announcing that the month-long ceasefire had ended. Under the law, a president who puts US forces into hostilities without prior approval from Congress is required to report to lawmakers within 48 hours. As a general rule, the law limits such activity to 60 days without the express approval of Congress, and in certain circumstances allows up to 30 additional days for the safe withdrawal of the forces.

Shortly after the start of the war with Iran at the end of February, the White House sent a similar message to Congress. However, after the ceasefire in early April, the Trump administration claimed that the hostilities “ended”. Now the administration claims that the resumption of hostilities actually opened a new 60-day quorum. This interpretation is controversial, and at the same time the administration claims that the very limitation established by law on the president’s authority is unconstitutional.

Already last month, the House of Representatives and the Senate approved a resolution designed to limit Trump’s ability to carry out additional military operations against Iran without congressional approval. The Democrats announced that they are also looking at legal options that would oblige the president to comply with the demands of Congress, while at the same time they intend to use their power in the budget process to try to prevent additional funding for the war.

This fight has enormous financial significance. The administration has asked Congress for $67 billion in supplemental funding, among other things to cover the costs of the war and replenish essential military supplies, while at the same time it is requesting a budget of about $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon in the next fiscal year.

On Wednesday, Republicans in the House of Representatives advanced a plan that would allow up to $73 billion to be allocated to the war with Iran, along with up to $12 billion in aid to farmers affected by its economic consequences. Two Republicans and an independent lawmaker affiliated with the party voted against. This is still only the first stage of the budget process, and the plan is expected to encounter significant obstacles in the Senate.