Key facts
- Three Republicans voted for a war powers resolution on Tuesday, marking a shift from previous opposition.
- The resolution aims to force Donald Trump to withdraw troops from the conflict with Iran.
- Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks stated she would not vote to keep soldiers in an open-ended war.
- Congressman Zach Nunn cited the "devastating price" his state has paid in the conflict.
- Democrats have used war powers resolutions to highlight Republican divisions on the conflict.
- The House vote occurred on the same day polls showed Democrats leading Republicans by nine percentage points.
As the conflict with Iran continues, a growing number of Republicans are signaling that the war is becoming a liability for their party, particularly with the November midterm elections approaching. On Tuesday evening, three Republicans who had previously not supported such measures broke ranks to vote for a war powers resolution aimed at compelling Donald Trump to withdraw troops from the conflict. This marks an expansion of the opposition within the GOP to the ongoing military engagement.
Among those who shifted their vote was Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a congresswoman from Iowa, who stated her opposition to an "open-ended war" and the impact on Iowans, particularly concerning fuel prices. She was joined by fellow Iowa Republican Zach Nunn, who highlighted the personal cost of the war, noting that two soldiers from his state were among those killed by Iranian attacks. Nunn emphasized the need for clear objectives and congressional oversight for sustained combat operations.
Democrats have been leveraging war powers resolutions to put Republicans on record regarding the conflict, which polls suggest is unpopular. While earlier attempts failed, a resolution passed in June with the support of a few libertarian-minded Republicans and those in competitive districts. The Senate approved that measure, but Trump reportedly ignored it. A fifth resolution passed in July, and Tuesday's vote expanded the number of Republican objectors to seven.
The shift in stance by some Republicans, particularly those in vulnerable districts like Miller-Meeks and Nunn, underscores growing concerns about the war's political fallout. These lawmakers represent areas where the economic impacts of the conflict, including higher prices for diesel, gasoline, and fertilizer, are keenly felt. Democrats believe these circumstances, coupled with a narrow Republican majority in the House, could help them gain seats in the upcoming elections.
Separately, a Republican congressman who had previously clashed with Trump proposed impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging constitutional violations related to prosecuting the war without congressional authorization. While these internal party rebellions are largely symbolic at this stage, they reflect increasing unease within the Republican party about the prolonged conflict.