Donald Trump is weighing a major escalation against Iran in the ongoing war. His own, however, party is pushing back. The domestic unease comes at a critical juncture. Oil prices have surged with reports warning that further disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could push costs even higher.
The House rebukes Donald Trump over Iran war
The House has voted to rebuke President Donald Trump over his handling of the Iran war. Four Republicans broke ranks to back the measure. The vote passed 214-208 on Thursday, which is the second time this year the House has moved to limit Trump’s war powers over the war. The resolution, brought by Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, directs Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorises the war (via Axios).
Republican Reps. Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Barrett and Warren Davidson crossed party lines to support the resolution. The same four Republicans backed a similar measure when the House first passed it in June.
Jayapal said Republicans who skipped the vote “did not want to take a ‘no’ vote, and then have to go home to their constituents and explain to them why they voted ‘no’ on ending this illegal war.” The Senate later rejected its own version of the resolution, 47-49 (via ABC17 News).
Even if both chambers had passed it, the measure carries no legal force. Concurrent resolutions do not go to the president’s desk for a signature. Momentum for the vote grew after three US troops were killed in the region over the weekend.
Republicans have mostly stood behind Trump’s campaign, but unease within the party has grown as the war drags on without congressional authorisation. Trump has dismissed GOP concerns about the political fallout ahead of the midterms.
The rebuke came as Houthi rebels in Yemen, reportedly backed by Iran, said they struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The attacks opened a new front beyond the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has largely halted during the conflict. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the situation was “getting out of control,” adding: “It’s time to step back.”
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
