House Rejects War Powers Resolution, Backs Bill to Limit Trump on Iran

Maine Rep. Jared Golden joins GOP in opposing resolution, co-sponsors alternative measure

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The U.S. House of Representatives rejected an effort to stop President Donald Trump's air war on Iran and require that any hostilities against Iran be authorized by Congress. Four Democrats, including Maine's Jared Golden, broke ranks to oppose the resolution, which was backed by the Republican majority. Golden instead co-sponsored a resolution that would give Trump 30 days to end military action and prohibit the deployment of ground troops without explicit congressional authority.

Why it matters

The vote highlights the ongoing tensions between Congress and the president over war powers, with lawmakers seeking to reassert their constitutional authority to authorize military action. The rejection of the resolution means Trump can continue the current air campaign against Iran, though he may still need to seek congressional approval in the coming months.

The details

The House vote was 219 to 212, largely along party lines, with two Republicans voting for the resolution and four Democrats, including Golden, voting against it. Golden said he believes Trump has so far acted within his authority under the 1973 War Powers Act, but he co-sponsored an alternative measure that would give the president a 30-day deadline to end military action and prohibit the deployment of ground troops without explicit congressional approval.

  • The House vote took place on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The Senate voted on a similar bipartisan resolution to block Trump's military campaign against Iran on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Jared Golden

A Democratic representative from Maine's 2nd Congressional District who broke with his party to oppose the war powers resolution and instead co-sponsored an alternative measure.

Donald Trump

The U.S. president who launched the air war on Iran, which the House voted to allow to continue.

Gregory Meeks

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who supported the war powers resolution as an effort to force the administration to explain its objectives and strategy.

Rick Crawford

The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who accused Democrats of bringing the issue to a vote only because they oppose Trump.

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What they’re saying

“While I do not believe that an abrupt about-face is a good course of action given the reality on the ground, that should not be construed as my approval. While conflict requires that we remain flexible to shifting circumstances, at this time I would not support Congressional authorization or funding for sustained combat operations.”

— Jared Golden, Representative from Maine's 2nd Congressional District (Bangor Daily News)

“This is a war of choice, launched by this administration without authorization, without clearly stated objectives or a defined endgame, and without explaining how they intend to keep Americans safe.”

— Gregory Meeks, Top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Bangor Daily News)

“We all know that we wouldn't be here today if the president's name wasn't Donald Trump.”

— Rick Crawford, Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the Trump administration to seek congressional approval for the ongoing military action against Iran by the end of April, giving lawmakers another opportunity to weigh in on the conflict.

The takeaway

The House vote highlights the ongoing power struggle between Congress and the president over war powers, with lawmakers seeking to reassert their constitutional authority to authorize military action. While the resolution was rejected, the issue is likely to remain a point of contention in the coming months as the administration faces a deadline to seek congressional approval for the Iran campaign.