House Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran Attacks

Senate previously voted down similar measure to halt Trump-ordered strikes

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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House lawmakers on Thursday rejected a war powers resolution that aimed to halt President Trump's attacks on Iran, a day after the Senate voted down a similar measure. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad also came under rocket attack, further escalating tensions in the region.

Why it matters

The rejection of the war powers resolution by both chambers of Congress signals a lack of political will to constrain the president's ability to order military strikes against Iran, despite concerns about the potential for further escalation and a wider conflict.

The details

The House voted 250-177 to reject the war powers resolution, which was introduced by Democrats to force a debate and vote on Trump's decision to order attacks on Iran. A day earlier, the Senate had voted 53-45 to reject a similar measure. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad also came under rocket attack, though no casualties were reported. The attacks underscore the fragile security situation in Iraq and the potential for further conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

  • The House voted on the war powers resolution on March 5, 2026.
  • The Senate voted on a similar measure a day earlier, on March 4, 2026.

The players

President Trump

The U.S. president who ordered the attacks on Iran that prompted the war powers resolution.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The rejection of the war powers resolution by both chambers of Congress suggests that lawmakers are unwilling to constrain the president's ability to order military strikes against Iran, despite concerns about the potential for further escalation and a wider conflict in the region.