US Republicans block attempt to rein in Trump’s war powers over Iran campaign |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US House of Representatives Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic effort to end US attacks on Iran, as Donald Trump’s party continued to prevent efforts to rein in the Republican president’s war powers.
Representative Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, presided over an abbreviated “pro forma” House session, ending it before a group of Democrats could seek to pass the resolution by unanimous consent, which would have called for an end to the US military operation.
While Thursday’s action was largely symbolic, top Democrats in the House and Senate have vowed to force war powers votes again when they return from recess next week.
Congressional Democrats have tried and repeatedly failed in recent months to pass war powers resolutions to force Trump to obtain lawmakers’ authorization before launching military operations in both Venezuela and Iran.
Trump’s threat early this week that “a whole civilization will die” intensified concern among Democrats, dozens of whom called for Trump’s removal from office. The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians.
“Threatening genocide is not a negotiating tactic,” Representative Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, told a news conference outside the Capitol after the pro forma session, held because Congress is out of Washington for the two-week Easter recess.
Rep. Sara Jacobs: I have heard from so many military families who are concerned on what their loved ones are potentially being asked to do. Threatening genocide is not a negotiating tactic pic.twitter.com/NUpI1c09gS — Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) April 9, 2026
Rep. Sara Jacobs: I have heard from so many military families who are concerned on what their loved ones are potentially being asked to do. Threatening genocide is not a negotiating tactic pic.twitter.com/NUpI1c09gS
— Headquarters........