House Deadlocks on Iran War Powers Resolution

Lawmakers in the House ended up exactly split Thursday on whether to rein in President Trump's war in Iran—and that tie was enough to stop the effort cold, reports the New York Times. The 212-212 vote blocked a war powers resolution that would have ordered an end to US military operations against Iran unless Trump secured congressional approval, a requirement that kicks in after 60 days under the 1973 War Powers Resolution. The vote marked the third time such a measure has failed in the House, notes CBS News.

Three Republicans backed advancing the measure, showing cracks in the GOP's armor as some in the party grow uneasy with the open-ended conflict and Trump's insistence he needs no sign-off from Congress. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Tom Barrett of Michigan are all in competitive districts. However, one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, broke ranks to oppose the measure, providing the decisive vote. The administration has argued that the war-powers law is unconstitutional and that a shaky ceasefire paused the 60-day clock—a reading that many legal scholars dispute. With bombing ongoing, fuel and fertilizer prices elevated, and Trump saying this week he doesn't "think about Americans' financial situation" in Iran talks, Democrats say they'll keep pressing, even after a similar effort stalled in the Senate.