Republican lawmaker pushes War Powers vote to block US involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

WASHINGTON

A member of the US Congress said Friday that his bipartisan War Powers resolution – intended to prevent US military involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran – awaits action on the House floor.

"I’m opposed to getting the U.S. involved in another war in the Middle East. My bipartisan War Powers Resolution to force a vote on U.S. involvement in Israel’s war against Iran has 39 cosponsors," Rep. Thomas Massie said on X. The House of Representatives has 435 members.

Massie, a member of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, added that the law requires House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring his resolution to a vote.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, co-lead sponsor of the proposal, joined Massie on Tuesday to introduce the bipartisan resolution to prohibit the use of the US armed forces in unauthorized hostilities against Iran.

Massie said Tuesday that the Constitution does not permit the executive branch to "unilaterally commit an act of war" against a sovereign nation that has not attacked the US.

"Congress has the sole power to declare war against Iran. The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution," Massie said in a statement.

Hostilities broke out eight days ago when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes