U.S. House votes June 4 limit Trump Iran actions

The U.S. House voted on June 3 to approve a war powers resolution ordering President Donald Trump to remove American forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes the conflict. The measure, H. Con. Res. 86, passed 215-208, according to the Office of the Clerk. Four Republicans joined Democrats to back the resolution, which was introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The vote followed earlier failed House attempts this year to curb Trump’s authority over the Iran conflict. ### What exactly did the House approve? H. Con. Res. 86 is a concurrent resolution under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution. The text directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran, while preserving an exception for forces needed to defend the United States or an ally or partner from imminent attack, provided the president complies with War Powers reporting requirements. The resolution also says any continued use of force would require either a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization against Iran. (clerk.house.gov) Congress.gov shows Meeks introduced the measure on April 20, 2026, with Representatives Jim Himes of Connecticut and Adam Smith of Washington as co-sponsors. Because it is a concurrent resolution, it reflects the position of both chambers if adopted by both, but it is not itself enacted as a statute. ### Who supplied the votes that pushed it through? The House Clerk’s roll call shows 215 members voted yes and 208 voted no, with seven not voting. (congress.gov) ABC News reported that Republicans Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Thomas Massie of Kentucky joined Democrats in support. ABC also reported six Republicans were absent, and said the resolution still would have passed even with full attendance. The House had rejected similar Iran war powers efforts earlier in the year. Clerk records show a March 5 vote on H. Con. Res. 38 failed 212-219, and an April 16 vote on another Iran resolution failed 213-214, with one member voting present. ### Why was Congress considering this now? Senate legislation introduced on March 5 says Trump ordered U.S. armed forces to conduct air strikes inside Iran on February 28, 2026, and described the strikes as “massive and ongoing,” without congressional authorization or consultation. (clerk.house.gov) That Senate text says Congress had not declared war on Iran or enacted a specific authorization for military force within or against Iran. (clerk.house.gov) ABC News described the House vote as the first successful House passage of a Democrat-led Iran war powers resolution since the conflict began three months ago. Reuters, in a June 3 dispatch, said the vote reflected concern in Congress, including among some Republicans, over the war. ### Does this vote by itself stop military action? (congress.gov) ABC News reported that even if the Senate follows the House, a concurrent resolution is not presented to the president and is not subject to veto, but also does not carry the force of law on its own. That means the House vote is a formal congressional directive under the War Powers framework, but not the same thing as a new statute signed by the president. (abcnews.com) Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the measure before the vote. ABC quoted Johnson as saying, “I think it is a very dangerous prospect to take away from the administration and the commander-in-chief right now the ability to negotiate.” After passage, ABC reported, a White House official said Trump would continue to use his constitutional authority as commander in chief while being transparent with Congress. (abcnews.com) ### What happens next in the Senate? The House-passed resolution now goes to the Senate. Separately, Congress.gov shows Senators Cory Booker, Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff and Chris Murphy introduced S.J. Res. 118 on March 5, a joint resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities within or against Iran. The next concrete step is Senate action on either H. (abcnews.com) Con. Res. 86 or the existing Senate measure. As of the congressional records surfaced here, the Senate bill remained referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (congress.gov)