1 of 2 | Democrats in both chambers of Congress have sought to pass a war powers resolution in response to U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
An effort by House Democrats to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers was stymied by Republicans on Thursday in a swift pro forma session that denied even a debate.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R.-N.J., serving as speaker pro tempore of the House, gaveled in the quick session, ignored an attempt by U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., to introduce a resolution to limit military operations conducted by the White House and then gaveled the session out, NBC News and The Hill reported.
Pro forma sessions are held, generally without any legislation being considered, to satisfy the constitutional requirement that neither house of Congress adjourn for more than three days without the other agreeing to do so — often to prevent recess appointments by the executive branch.
The session comes as Republicans have slowly aired concerns about the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, including what has been defined as a fragile cease-fire that was expected to include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has failed at both ending airstrikes and opening the crucial trading route.
A two-week cease-fire was announced on Tuesday by President Donald Trump and the White House, but little changing on the ground — including Israel’s continued airstrikes in Lebanon — has motivated some members of Congress to push for the war powers vote.
“We’ve been at war for 40 days,” Ivey told reporters after the pro forma session. “We’ve only been in session for 33.”
“The threats of total annihilation [from Trump] were beyond the pale,” Ivey said, referring to Trump’s threats to Iran if they did not agree to a cease-fire. “It’s time for Congress to step in and take control of the wheel.”
Several other Democrats in the House chamber during the short session also yelled in protest when Smith ended the session without allowing a vote on the Democrats motion.
The Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans, has voted down several war powers resolutions related to Iran recently as well.
Although Trump has not acknowledged that the cease-fire has been shaky, as both the U.S. and Israel have confirmed continued operations, he said late Wednesday that the U.S. military will remain deployed “with additional Ammunition, Weaponry and anything else that is appropriate … until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with.”
This week in Washington
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday. Yesterday, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with the U.S. suspending bombing in Iran for two weeks if the country reopens the Straight of Hormuz. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
