US House Blocks Iran War Efforts for Third Time as Republicans Defect

For the third time this year, the US House of Representatives has passed a war powers resolution aimed at stopping President Donald Trump’s ongoing military campaign in Iran. The late-Tuesday vote concluded 220-204, marking a significant shift as seven Republican lawmakers joined the unanimous Democratic bloc in opposition to the conflict.

Among the defectors was Iowa Republican Zach Nunn, who cast his vote in favor of the measure for the first time. “With the negotiating window closed, sustained combat operations now require congressional authorization,” Nunn said. “I will not support another open-ended war,” he added, signaling growing frustration within the party over prolonged military engagements.

Despite the legislative victory, the resolution faces certain rejection at the executive level. President Trump is expected to veto the measure if it reaches his desk, continuing a pattern established by previous similar votes in June and July. In response to the Democratic push, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast challenged lawmakers to specify which military assets should be withdrawn from the region, arguing that Iran remains a persistent threat.

“They are a continuous ongoing threat to the United States. Enough is enough,” Mast stated, while also asserting that Trump opposes “forever wars” and is working to end decades of hostilities with Iran.

The legislative battle intensifies as Congress approaches midterm elections, with fewer than 50 days remaining before voters decide control of the legislature. A poll conducted by AP-NORC in July indicated that most Americans believe the war has not been worth fighting. Meanwhile, a nonpartisan report from the Congressional Budget Office released on Tuesday highlighted the economic toll of the six-month conflict, estimating costs have reached $38 billion and are rising by approximately $3 billion monthly. The report further projected that the war could increase inflation by 0.5 percentage points in early 2027.

While the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, it designates the president as commander-in-chief, allowing for certain military actions without explicit legislative approval. The War Powers Act, enacted in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, attempts to balance these powers by requiring congressional authorization for sustained hostilities after 60 to 90 days. Although the Senate previously passed its own resolution on its tenth attempt, Republican senators reversed their stance shortly thereafter following private criticism from Trump.