House lawmakers are preparing a fourth attempt this year to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., working to recruit additional Republican support for a War Powers resolution.
Massie told Fox News Digital the measure could reach the House floor “in the next few legislative days” or around Christmas.
“I’m offering Republicans a life boat from MAGA,” Massie said, expressing hope that more members of his party would join the effort.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said he would oppose the resolution but confirmed “Massie has been having conversations with members” to build support. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., suggested “one or two” additional Republicans could join Massie and the Democrats who backed the previous measure.
Three Republicans — Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania — have previously voted in favor of an Iran War Powers resolution. Barrett told Fox News Digital he would remain consistent if the new resolution mirrors the prior legislation, but he was skeptical that more Republicans would join, noting little movement during the last vote.
Massie also voiced uncertainty about expanding Republican support, criticizing his party’s continued backing of Trump’s military actions.
“Congress is paralyzed,” Massie said, accusing Republicans of remaining “still in the suicide pact with this administration.”
Democrats, meanwhile, pointed to the party’s 2026 midterm losses as a possible opening for more Republican defections. Asked whether additional Republicans could back the effort, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said: “If they’re listening to the people that sent them here, yes. That’s what they should do.” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said she “thinks they would” join.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., argued that some Republicans may feel freer to break from the president now that the political stakes of the midterms have passed. “The threat of Trump dumping a lot of money into Republican districts is over, perhaps more members of Congress we think represent their communities will listen to what constituents are saying about the war,” Grijalva said.
The push revives a long-running dispute over the constitutional balance between Congress’s power to declare war and the president’s role as commander in chief. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 sets limits and procedures for military action taken without congressional authorization.
As of now, no vote on a new Iran War Powers resolution has been scheduled or confirmed.
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