War in Iran: Republicans cancel vote on Trump’s military powers

Republican elected officials struggled on Thursday to gather the votes needed to bury a bill that would force American President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war against Iran, postponing the votes initially planned on the issue until June.

The US House of Representatives had scheduled a vote on a resolution based on the War Powers Act, introduced by Democrats, which was intended to curb Trump’s military campaign. But once it became clear that the Republicans would not have the votes to defeat the text, the Republican leaders in Congress gave up organizing the vote.

It’s the latest sign of eroding congressional support for the war that Trump launched more than two months ago on Israel’s side, without securing congressional approval.

“We had the votes, without a doubt, and they knew it. Result: they are playing a political game,” denounced Democratic elected official Gregory Meeks, author of the proposal.

Senate Republicans are also working to ensure they have the votes needed to reject another resolution on war powers, which reached the final vote earlier this week after four Republican senators supported it and three others were absent during the vote.

The decisions by Congressional leaders show that Republicans are struggling to maintain political support for Trump’s handling of the war. Rank-and-file Republican elected officials are increasingly willing to challenge the president on this conflict, which was initially only supposed to last a few weeks but which is now close to three months, with no prospect of an end to the crisis.

House Republican leader Steve Scalise told reporters that the vote had been postponed to allow absentee lawmakers to vote. The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, did not answer journalists’ questions as he left the chamber.

Frustration grows on Capitol Hill over war

On Capitol Hill, patience for war is wearing thin as the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global maritime trade and drive up U.S. gasoline prices. Another war powers resolution nearly passed the House last week: it failed due to a tie vote, with three Republicans voting in favor.

Meeks, the principal elected Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, assured that he had the guaranteed votes this time.

“People are finally starting to listen to the American people, who do not support the war in Iran, and I think a growing number of Republicans are seeing how devastating this war has been for our country,†the state Democratic lawmaker said. Washington, Adam Smith.

The only Democrat who voted against the war powers resolution last week, Maine Rep. Jared Golden, indicated he would vote for it next time, giving Democrats a united front in their opposition.

In a joint statement, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other caucus officials said Republicans had shown “cowardice” in withdrawing the vote.

“Even as we prepare to honor our nation’s fallen heroes on Memorial Day, House Republicans refuse to stand and be held accountable to the courageous service members who were irresponsibly sent to the front lines,” they said. added.

War Powers Resolution

Republicans have generally supported Trump’s war effort to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but some now say the president’s legal time limit to wage war without congressional approval has expired.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, presidents have 60 days to initiate armed conflict before Congress must either declare war or authorize the use of military force.

“The 60 days have passed, so the question must be submitted to us for a vote. We enforce the law,” Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said, adding that he intended to vote in favor of the war powers resolution.

The White House believes that the requirements of the war powers resolution no longer apply due to the ceasefire with Iran, in effect since April 8.

Trump nevertheless declared on social networks that military leaders must be ready to launch, at any time, a full-scale and large-scale offensive against Iran, if an acceptable agreement is not found. The president has, on several occasions, set ultimatums to Tehran before reversing course.