by Emily Brooks
THE HILL
Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) plan to move next week to force a vote on a resolution to require authorization from Congress before President Trump can use military force against Iran.
“Trump officials say there’s a 90% chance of strikes on Iran. He can’t without Congress,” Khanna said Wednesday in a post on the social platform X. “@RepThomasMassie & I have a War Powers Resolution to debate & vote on war before putting U.S. troops in harm’s way. I will make a motion to discharge to force a vote on it next week.”
In the closely divided House, the vote could be very close. Republicans can afford no more than one GOP defection on any party-line vote, assuming all members are present and voting, and absences can change that margin.
The U.S. has built up warships and other military forces near Iran, even as it engages in talks about limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Trump last week said that regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Khanna pointed to his resolution with Massie, H. Con. Res. 38, that was introduced in June 2025 during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, before the U.S. struck Iran’s nuclear sites. It has 76 other Democratic co-sponsors, and no other Republican co-sponsors.
The resolution directs the president to “terminate the use of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” It clarifies that the resolution would not prevent the U.S. from defending itself, or disrupt U.S. intelligence gathering and sharing.
“Congress must vote on war according to our Constitution. @RepRoKhanna and I will be forcing that vote to happen in the House as soon as possible,” Massie added on X. “I will vote to put America first which means voting against more war in the Middle East.”
War powers resolutions are privileged parliamentary procedures in the House and Senate, allowing members to bypass House Republican leaders to force floor votes on the matter.
But while Democrats have moved to force several such votes, they have not been successful.
Last month, the House narrowly voted down a resolution designed to limit Trump’s ability to use military power in Venezuela. Republicans successfully blocked the measure in a 215-215 vote. Two Republicans — Massie and Rep. Don Bacon (Neb.) — joined all 213 Democrats in voting for the measure.
“Like the votes before the Iraq war, this could be one of the most consequential votes in the history of Congress. Are we going to stop another endless dumb foreign war? Or will the neoconservatives mislead us once again?” Khanna said.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5745037-khanna-massie-war-powers-iran/