Donald Trump could be forced to withdraw from the Iran war after a crucial vote in the US House of Representatives.
The Iran war powers resolution would end the war or force the president to get approval from Congress to continue it.
Donald Trump has been rebuked with a vote in Congress against the war in Iran. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The bill has passed on a narrow 215-208 vote after four Republicans crossed the floor to vote with Democrats. Another six Republicans did not vote.
The resolution is a stinging rebuke to Trump, especially given enough of his own party members were willing to vote against him.
There were cheers in the House as the resolution passed.
“A majority of Americans are sick and tired of this president’s reckless warmongering,” Democratic Congressman Dwight Evans said.
Republican Thomas Massie, who lost his primary last week after Trump endorsed his opponent, sponsored the resolution.
“The People’s House is sending a message: end this war,” Massie said.
Two other Republicans who voted for the resolution represent swing seats, indicating the war in Iran is unpopular enough to perhaps cost them re-election.
The resolution will now go to the Senate, where it stands a relatively strong chance of passing.
The last time a similar resolution was put forward in the Senate last month, it failed by just two votes. Since then Trump has further alienated Republicans by successfully backing a challenger to respected Senator John Cornyn.
“Trump’s illegal war has already cost 14 of our servicemembers’ lives and nearly $30 billion,” Democratic Senator and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth said.
Donald Trump is rapidly losing support in Congress for his war with Iran. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
But historically Congress tends to rally around the flag when a president seeks to enter the US in a military conflict.
The declaration of war on Japan in 1941 passed the House 388 to one, and in the Senate 82 to zero.
The vote was held an hour after President Franklin Roosevelt’s “day that will live in infamy” speech.
Trump may attempt to continue the war without congressional authorisation, but he may find himself running out of money to do so.
Congress controls the budget and has not allocated any funds for the war in Iran.
If it refuses to do so, the Pentagon may not have the cash to keep troops in the Middle East. Already the Pentagon is cancelling programs to transfer money towards the Iran campaign.
Trump has not spoken on the House resolution since it passed earlier this morning.