House GOP pulls Iran war powers vote as Trump critics gain Republican support

The planned vote was pulled after Republicans risked losing because too few members were present in the chamber, CNN reported.

Democrats have repeatedly tried to move similar legislation through both chambers of Congress. In recent weeks, the measure has also gained support from more Republicans.

The resolution scheduled for consideration on May 21 was introduced by New York Democrat Gregory Meeks, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

After the vote was canceled, Democratic minority leaders called the decision “cowardly,” adding that the Republican-led House “continues to behave like an arm of the Trump administration.”

U.S.-Israel war against Iran

On May 5, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign against Iran, had ended and that Washington had achieved its objectives. Trump later said the United States had held “very good talks” with Iran.

On May 18, Trump said time was running out for Iran. He said Tehran would face much harsher consequences if it failed to offer better terms for a deal.

The U.S. Defense Department has prepared military options for Iran in case Trump decides to resume strikes, CNN reported. The outlet said Trump is “running out of patience” as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Several White House officials said the Trump administration delayed decisions on Iran because it wanted to see how talks between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping played out before deciding on its next steps.

NYT reported on May 18, citing two Middle Eastern officials, that the United States and Israel had begun major preparations for a possible resumption of strikes on Iran as early as this week. The sources said the current preparations are the largest since the ceasefire began.

Trump later said the United States canceled a strike on Iran planned for May 19 at the request of Gulf states. He then said there were “very good chances” of reaching a deal with Iran on its nuclear program.

The United States and Iran remain under a ceasefire that began in April 2026 and was later extended indefinitely.