US House Unexpectedly Cancels Vote on War Powers Resolution

Central News Agency, Washington, May 21. US House Republican leaders unexpectedly canceled a vote today on a war powers resolution that would require President Trump to obtain congressional authorization or cease military action against Iran. The Senate had just advanced a similar measure two days ago. According to Reuters, the vote was scheduled for this afternoon before lawmakers left Washington for the Memorial Day recess. Earlier this year, the House narrowly blocked three war powers resolutions, with Republicans almost unanimously supporting the move, highlighting party support for the Iran conflict and Trump. However, since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, the gap between the two sides has narrowed, and the last resolution failed due to a tie vote. With a few Republicans expected to defect and some members absent, today's measure looked likely to pass. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told reporters after the cancellation: "There is no doubt we had the votes, and they knew it." He said House Republican leaders had postponed the vote until early June, after the Memorial Day recess. Democrats and a few Republicans have called on Trump to seek congressional authorization for military action, noting that the US Constitution grants the power to declare war to Congress, not the President. Most Republicans and the White House argue that Trump's actions are legal and that as Commander-in-Chief, he has the authority to order limited military action to prevent imminent threats and protect the US. The Senate advanced another similar war powers resolution on the 19th, in a rare embarrassment for Trump. The procedural vote passed 50-47, with four Republicans defecting to vote in favor, one Democrat voting against, and three Republicans absent.