US House votes to limit Iran war for first time since ceasefire breakdown

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that the US House of Representatives voted on Thursday to restrict President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military action against Iran, the first such House vote since a ceasefire collapsed in early July. The measure passed 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats. The vote came nearly a week after three US service members were killed in an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan.

According to Al Jazeera, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would also seek a War Powers vote in the Senate the same day. The move is largely symbolic because a similar resolution passed by both chambers in June was structured as a concurrent resolution and therefore was not sent to the president. A joint resolution would require presidential action, but Trump could veto it, and Congress would need two-thirds support in both chambers to override him.

The vote reflects renewed congressional pressure over a conflict Al Jazeera described as re-escalating after the ceasefire breakdown. The outlet reported that the United States and Iran had exchanged attacks for 12 consecutive days, while Trump had threatened strikes on civilian infrastructure and raised the possibility of a ground invasion. Democrats framed the resolution as an effort to reassert Congress’s constitutional role over war powers.

Al Jazeera noted that Congress has not formally declared war since World War II, though presidents may use force in urgent self-defence. The Trump administration has argued Iran poses an imminent threat and has notified Congress that hostilities resumed, while critics cited by the outlet said the administration is exceeding the limits of the 1973 War Powers Act.