House Votes In Favor Of Resolution To Halt The War In Iran

Once again, the House of Representatives has voted for President Donald Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek formal Congressional approval to continue it. Given that Republicans currently control the House, this is a bipartisan rebuke of the Iranian conflict.

The New York Times reports that the resolution passed on Tuesday in a 220 to 204 vote, with seven Republicans joining House Democrats in voting against the war in Iran. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) introduced the resolution, saying the war in Iran “has not only failed, but backfired.” The resolution doesn’t legally force Trump to end the war, but it’s meant to pressure the administration to either halt the conflict or seek formal congressional approval to continue. 

Moulton and those who voted in favor of the resolution pointed to the growing cost of the war, dwindling munitions, and the growing downwind effects. While the Trump administration initially said the war would be over within weeks, we are now entering the seventh month of fighting. 

This is the 19th vote Congress has held since the war in Iran began at the end of February. While Republicans have predominantly voted against ending the war in Iran, there appears to be growing resistance to continuing the war. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), who previously opposed efforts to restrict military operations in Iran, voted in favor of the resolution. 

“With the negotiating window closed, sustained combat operations now require congressional authorization,” Nunn, a combat veteran, said in a statement after the vote. Nunn also noted that of the 18 U.S. service members who have been killed in the war, two of them were from Iowa. “Congress owes them, their families and every American in uniform clear objectives and constitutional oversight.”

It makes sense why more Republicans would vote against the war in Iran ahead of the November midterms. The war in Iran is deeply unpopular and has only exacerbated the affordability crisis. Gas prices have kept rising, with diesel prices reaching a record high earlier this month. Because diesel trucks transport food and basic goods, those higher prices are being passed on to us, the consumers. 

The Federal Reserve is set to hike interest rates because of persistent inflation caused by the war in Iran. This means that it’s going to be more expensive for Americans to borrow money for auto and home loans. No matter how you cut it, the war in Iran so far has been a net negative across the board. 

There’s also the issue of the United States not formally calling the conflict in Iran a war. Vice President JD Vance was pressed about this issue during a press conference in the White House briefing room earlier this month. 

Vance was asked about Libby Klinner, the widow of John A. Klinner, an airman who was killed in combat with Iran. Libby said that she and her three kids were denied certain benefits because the United States hasn’t formally declared war. Vance was evasive in his response. 

“As much as our heart breaks, I can’t possibly fathom a young widow, what she’s feeling, and dealing with it,” Vance said, adding, “We very much take very seriously our commitment to get you what you need to get.”

Unfortunately, the resolution probably won’t convince the Trump administration to wind down fighting. So brace those wallets, because it doesn’t look like costs are coming down anytime soon. 

SEE ALSO:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Grilled By Congress As Iran War Drags On

From Groceries To Cyberattacks: How The Iran War Is Affecting The US