House Again Rebukes Trump on Iran War

The House on Thursday voted a second time to direct President Trump to end the war in Iran or seek explicit authorization to continue it, dealing him another bipartisan rebuke as he again ramps up military operations in the Middle East without approval from Congress.

Four Republicans joined Democrats in backing the measure, which does not have the force of law but is the latest evidence of disapproval on Capitol Hill with Mr. Trump’s handling of the conflict.

The vote came after the United States concluded its 12th consecutive night of strikes in Iran, following the collapse of a cease-fire that many Republicans had hoped would yield a diplomatic breakthrough to wind down the war well before they must face voters in November’s midterm elections.

The measure passed on a vote of 214-208. The Republicans who joined Democrats in favor were Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. That was the same quartet that helped Democrats push through a similar war powers resolution last month.

The Senate was on track to vote later Thursday on whether to take up another such measure.

The outcome in the House underscored the growing divide between Republicans on Capitol Hill and the White House as the war in Iran has dragged on.

A growing group of Republican lawmakers has become more vocal about questioning the lack of congressional authorization or consultation, and also the administration’s failure to lay out a clear endgame. But Mr. Trump has shown no willingness to involve the legislative branch and little sign of winding down the campaign. Instead, he has escalated his bellicose language and asserted that he has unchecked power to continue the military operation.

Mr. Trump brushed aside Congress’s earlier rebukes last month, when the House and Senate both passed a similar measure, the first time since the conflict began in February that lawmakers voted to disapprove of it.

House Republican leaders are now pressing forward with a budget plan that would pay for the war, putting their members in the politically unappealing position of voting to finance an unpopular conflict that the Republican-led Congress has not authorized, and over which it has exercised little oversight.