House Democrats failed Thursday to pass a war powers resolution that would constrain President Trump's ability to wage war with Iran.
Why it matters: It is the third time Democrats have tried and failed to pass an Iran war powers resolution, which some lawmakers fear will be seen as a green light to the Trump administration to keep ignoring Congress.
- The measure, introduced and forced to a vote by House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), failed 213 to 214.
What happened: Centrist Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) voted with Republicans against the measure, while libertarian-leaning Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) voted with Democrats to pass it.
- Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), who voted to pass an Iran war powers resolution last month, voted "present" on Thursday.
- Reps. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who voted against the measure last month, flipped and voted for it.
What they're saying: "The purported aim of this and other War Powers resolutions is to stop the hostilities," Golden said in a statement first shared with Axios.
- "Thankfully, the United States and Iran are currently in a ceasefire, and we are negotiating over critical questions of national security and international order."
- He argued the U.S. "must maintain a strong negotiation position" and that "a resolution like this would weaken our hand."
- Golden, who represents one of the most Republican-leaning districts of any House Democrat and often votes accordingly, is retiring at the end of his term.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from Golden.
