Resolution to stop Iran war failed with narrow margins - Congress doesn't usually stop wars - Congress and public disapproval can shorten them - start of war is normally approval high point
The House narrowly failed the war powers resolution, not too surprising. 2 Republican votes in favour. 4 Democrats against.
[I know this is some time back, saving it so I can refer to it in my other blog posts, several on their way today]
It’s quite close. If the Democrats had all voted for it with the 2 Republicans it would have passed the House at 216 : 215 with one Republican not voting.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202685
And Senate vote here, only one Democrat voted against, John Fetterman and only one Republican in favour, Rand Paul.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/who-voted-war-powers-senator-iran-vis
However it would have abrupt stopped an ongoing active war if passed, so it’s not so surprising when you think of it that way.
There is another proposal to limit the war if it continues for a long time. Proposal to require Congressional approval if it continues beyond 30 days.
So that could lead to more support if it does last that long.
And a good article by an expert Jordan Tama, About him:
Writing for the Chicago Council of Foreign Affairs, a think tank.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Council_on_Global_Affairs
He talks about how past presidents have often been affected by the combination of Congress disapproval and public disapproval. And this may influence Trump too especially now in the lead up to the mid terms.
Also about how approval for wars tend to go down so it is likely right now at the high point for approval if it does continue for long.
Notwithstanding this week’s votes, history suggests that members of Congress may still be politically consequential on the Iran war. The congressional split over the military intervention signals that Trump lacks broad support for the action, and opposition on Capitol Hill is only likely to grow if the war grinds on for an extended period. Wars typically become more unpopular over time, as casualties and costs rise. If that pattern holds, we may already be at the high-water mark of public support for the use of force against Iran—and that water mark is strikingly low. A CNN poll conducted shortly after the war began found that just 41 percent of Americans approved of the military action against Iran, while 59 percent disapproved of it. If public support for US military action drops further, Republican lawmakers representing competitive swing districts will have a growing incentive to distance themselves from Trump’s campaign and congressional efforts to limit the war will gain momentum—meaning Trump will face added pressure to bring the war to an end.
...
Even in some cases of limited military interventions, members of Congress were influential. In 1999, President Bill Clinton joined NATO allies in conducting a bombing campaign against Serbia in an effort to protect the population of Kosovo, and in 2011, Obama joined NATO allies and Arab partners in carrying out an air war intended to prevent the slaughter of civilians in Libya. In both cases, American lawmakers and voters were split over the use of force, and Congress did not take action either in support of or in opposition to them. But the lukewarm congressional and public support made it clear to Clinton and Obama that they would face serious political risks if the interventions became prolonged or generated US casualties. This recognition influenced both presidents’ decisions not to deploy any ground troops.
...
This type of congressional activism—especially when relayed by the media—can raise public awareness about the war’s missteps and costs. In turn, if the war becomes increasingly unpopular among the public, congressional support for constraining the president’s prosecution of the war will grow. Already, a group of moderate House Democrats has introduced an alternative war powers resolution that would terminate military action in Iran within 30 days (rather than the immediate termination mandated by the measures voted on this week) unless the use of force has been authorized by Congress. This type of measure could gain momentum on Capitol Hill if Americans sour further on the war.
More broadly, a prolonged and costly war could shake up American politics—weakening Trump’s stranglehold over the Republican Party and providing Democrats with a powerful campaign issue heading into November’s midterm elections. If Democrats do gain control of Congress next January, they will be able to carry out more extensive oversight of any continuing US military deployments. They could also develop new legislation to restore a more even balance of power between the branches on critical issues of war and peace.
https://globalaffairs.org/commentary/analysis/how-congress-can-still-influence-trumps-iran-war
UPDATE: Positive developments
The main good news is that
the Iranians are getting less and less able to fire missiles out of Iran. It’s stabailized at a bit over 100 drones a day but only 10 missiles a day.
From:
https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/2030513277264916797
ISW is posting updated figures every day at:
the US can continue to shoot down the drones, the issue is the cost
Ukraine is working on supplying very low cost interceptors to the US - it’s lowest cost solution is $1000 to destroy a $30,000 drone while missiles fired by fighter jets or patriots are more like $1 million + to shoot down a $30,000 drone
Ukraine is working on supplying very low cost interceptors to the US - it’s lowest cost solution is $1000 to destroy a $30,000 drone while missiles fired by fighter jets or patriots are more like $1 million + to shoot down a $30,000 drone. See my 1960s LOD Ukraine update under:
for now at least their president is in charge and he is a moderate / liberal in their politics
their president apologized to his Arab neighbours for the mistakes hitting civilian targets in their countries.
See also - why the war is likely short and can’t be a world war
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