SALEM, MA — Declaring the Iran War to be "based on lies," U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) called on the Senate to act after the House of Representatives approved a War Powers Resolution limiting President Donald Trump's authority in the conflict on Wednesday.
The War Powers Resolution passed the House with a 215 to 208 vote as four House Republicans sided with Democrats for the first time after three previous failed votes.
"I went to war once on bad intel and worse judgment," Moulton said. "Since day one, I've said Trump and Bibi's war in Iran is reckless, stupid, and based on lies.
"Today, the House voted to end it. ... I proudly voted yes. Senate: it's your turn. Do your job. And end this war."
A similar vote in the Senate would, presumably, cut off funding for the war and force President Trump to come back to Congress to seek funding for continued operations in the region.
Opposition to President Trump's executive powers to declare and sustain a war unilaterally in Iran has grown — both in public opinion polls and on Capitol Hill — in recent weeks, with the Associated Press reporting that House Speaker Mike Johnson shut down debate on a War Powers Resolution two weeks ago when it appeared on the verge of passage.
The AP said that each time Democrats have pushed forward the war powers resolution, the vote tallies have inched higher as political unease with the U.S. war swells.
Trump had campaigned for the White House on a promise to end U.S. entanglements abroad and focus more on domestic issues, but the war has shifted attention back to the Middle East.
Trump has repeatedly called a deal with Iran to end the war close, only to have the fragile ceasefire tested with bomb strikes from both sides.
The president is calling on allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume the flow of oil as gas prices spike.
Oil futures dipped back into the $80 range earlier this week when a deal appeared close, only to surge back toward $100 in recent days.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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