House Passes Iran War Powers Resolution 215-208 — Four Republicans Defect in Sharpest Rebuke of Trump's War

On June 3, 2026, the House voted 215-208 to pass a war powers resolution directing the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran — the sharpest congressional rebuke of Trump's war to date, and the first time either chamber has successfully passed such a measure.

Democrats erupted in applause after the vote was gaveled.

Fourth time's the charm

This resolution failed three times before it passed:

1. First and second attempts — defeated along largely party lines
2. May 14 — failed in a 212-212 tie. Three Republicans (Massie, Barrett, Fitzpatrick) voted yes. One Democrat (Golden) voted no. A tie means defeat.
3. May 22 — GOP leaders pulled the vote entirely and sent Congress home for Memorial Day recess when it became clear they didn't have the votes to defeat it
4. June 3 — passed 215-208. Warren Davidson switched from no to yes. Jared Golden switched from no to yes. The resolution passed with every Democrat and four Republicans.

Two weeks ago, Speaker Johnson sent Congress home rather than allow this vote. Today it happened anyway, and the result was exactly what they feared.

The four Republicans

• Thomas Massie (KY) — Trump spent $32 million to defeat him in his primary. Massie lost his seat. He voted to end Trump's war anyway.
• Warren Davidson (OH) — libertarian-aligned, had voted no on the May 14 tie. Switched to yes.
• Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) — swing-district Republican facing a tough reelection. Said plainly: "The law is the law. We have to follow the law. Violating it is not an option."
• Tom Barrett (MI) — another swing-district Republican. Voted yes all four times.

The Democrat who switched

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) had voted against all three previous attempts — the only Democrat to oppose the resolution. On the fourth vote, he joined his party. Democrats achieved unanimity for the first time on ending the war.

The 60-day deadline

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the president to withdraw forces from hostilities within 60 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes force. That deadline expired on May 1. The administration argues the clock was paused during the April ceasefire — which both sides violated with strikes. The administration also argues the War Powers Act itself is unconstitutional.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "The War Powers Act is unconstitutional, 100 percent."

The administration's position: the law that requires congressional authorization for war is unconstitutional, the 60-day deadline doesn't count, and the ceasefire that both sides violated paused the clock. The president can wage an unauthorized war indefinitely because the law saying he can't is, in his view, invalid.

The inspectors general

The Pentagon, State Department, and USAID inspectors general have launched a joint review of the war — a step mandated by law when overseas military operations exceed 60 days. The fact that the IGs launched the review means the government's own watchdogs believe the 60-day threshold has been crossed, regardless of the administration's ceasefire argument.

The politics of a losing war

A Fox News poll found roughly six in ten voters oppose military action against Iran. Republican anxiety is visible:

• GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA), who is running for Senate, was caught on audio at a campaign stop saying the war could be a "political liability" if it continues beyond "the next couple of weeks"
• Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast dismissed the vote as "a total BS vote" — the same chairman who couldn't prevent four of his own colleagues from supporting it
• Rep. Abe Hamadeh (AZ) claimed: "It doesn't seem like it's much of a war at this point" and "The war for all intents and purposes ended back in April" — said on the same day the U.S. and Iran traded strikes in the Persian Gulf

What happens next

The resolution is a concurrent resolution — it must pass both chambers but does not go to the president for signature. The Senate advanced a similar measure in May after Sen. Murkowski broke GOP unity, but Republicans will have another chance to block final passage. Neither chamber is close to a veto-proof majority.

The vote is largely symbolic in legal force. It is not symbolic in political force. The Republican-led House just voted to end the Republican president's war. Four members of his own party crossed the line. His own caucus members are being caught on tape calling the war a political liability. Six in ten voters oppose it. The inspectors general are investigating it. Iran just suspended all ceasefire talks. And the president says he doesn't care because negotiations were boring.

Ukraine, too

On the same day, the House also voted 218-204 to discharge legislation providing aid to Ukraine — forcing it to the floor over Republican leadership's objections. A final vote is expected Thursday. Two rebukes of the president's foreign policy in a single afternoon, from a House his party controls.