The House of Representatives voted for the first time in favor of a war powers resolution to halt military action against Iran without congressional approval.
Four Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in voting for the bill, with the final roll call being 215 to 208. They were Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio.
Democratic Rep. Jared Goldman of Maine also dropped his opposition to the initiative, marking the first time the party voted unanimously in favor after three attempts.
CBS News noted that the vote was supposed to take place two weeks ago, but House GOP leadership pulled the vote when it became clear the party would lose it.
The Upper House approved for the first time such a resolution after Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy flipped his vote following his defeat in the Republican primary.
Cassidy joined Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in backing the resolution. The final vote was 50-47, as John Fetterman was again the lone Democrat who voted against it.
"While I support the administration's efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury," Cassidy said in a social media publication after the vote. "Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified."
However, despite the vote's passing, it is not clear whether Trump would comply with it, considering that the White House has claimed that hostilities have technically ceased because there is a ceasefire.
The House's resolution was introduced in April by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It would direct Trump to "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran" unless given congressional authorization.
Republican Rep. Brian Mast, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the move a "stupid political vote" that "weakens the president's hands as he's negotiating with Iran."
"We're going to continue to do our constitutional responsibilities," he said after the vote, rejecting accusations that such votes have undermined the Trump administration in negotiations with Iran.
The White House reacted to the development, with an official telling ABC News that even if it passes the Senate it will have "no force or effect."
"President Trump will continue to protect our national security using his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief while being transparent with Congress," the official added.
