Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) has initiated a legislative effort to curtail U.S. military engagement with Iran amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Announced on Tuesday, the House resolution seeks to block the executive branch from conducting unauthorized hostilities, invoking the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Massie, a prominent conservative figure, is collaborating with a contingent of Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), to advance this measure.
The legislative proposal reflects a broader movement within Congress to reassert legislative authority over matters of war and peace. This bipartisan collaboration is notable, as it brings together progressive Democrats with a conservative Republican challenging the current administration’s foreign policy stance. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) has also introduced a similar resolution in the Senate, though the absence of Republican co-sponsors highlights the political divisions within Congress on this issue.
Massie has listed several Democratic representatives as co-sponsors, including Don Beyer (VA), Chuy Garcia (IL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), and Rashida Tlaib (MI), among others. This eclectic group of lawmakers represents a cross-section of progressive voices in the House. However, the resolution has already garnered opposition from some pro-Israel lawmakers. For instance, moderate New York Representative Mike Lawler has stated that if prominent Democrats like Ocasio-Cort, and Massie support the resolution, he will likely oppose it.
Rep. Khanna has indicated that the resolution will be considered as a ’privileged’ item, requiring floor votes in the House. This could force Speaker Mike Johnson to address the measure, a scenario that Republican leaders may seek to avoid. As with previous attempts to counter Trump’s policies, such as his global tariffs, the House Rules Committee could be used to stifle the resolution’s progress. The resolution’s fate remains uncertain as it navigates the complex political landscape of Congress.