The U.S. House of Representatives saw a deadlocked vote on Thursday, narrowly defeating a Democratic-backed resolution intended to restrict military operations against Iran without explicit congressional approval.
In a rare 212-212 tie, the war powers resolution failed to meet the simple majority threshold necessary for passage. This marks the third time this year the House has attempted to curb President Donald Trump’s military authority regarding Iran, highlighting a deepening partisan divide over foreign policy.
The vote follows a significant legal milestone; on May 1, the conflict reached a 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution, which theoretically requires the President to seek formal authorization for continued hostilities.
However, the administration has maintained that the legislative push is unnecessary, as President Trump previously declared that a ceasefire had effectively “terminated” hostilities with Iran.
The razor-thin margin underscores the shifting dynamics in a Congress where Republicans currently hold only a slim majority. The struggle to achieve consensus was equally visible in previous attempts, such as an April 16 vote that failed 213-214.
Mirroring the tension in the House, the Senate faced its own narrow impasse on Wednesday. A separate war powers resolution failed to advance in a 50-49 vote.
Despite the defeat, the vote was notable for its crossover appeal, as three Republican senators joined the Democratic caucus in their attempt to assert congressional oversight.