WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday approved a Democratic-led proposal to end the Iran war, directing President Donald Trump to remove armed forces from hostilities.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The resolution is non-binding, however.The House voted 214-208, with four Republicans joining all Democrats to cast decisive votes for the measure: Reps.
Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Tom Barrett, R-Mich., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.Later in the day, the Senate voted 47-49 to reject a “joint resolution” to end the Iran war that would have the force of law, unlike the House version, but would be subject to a presidential veto.One Republican, Sen.
Susan Collins, R-Maine, joined every Democrat except Sen.John Fetterman, D-Pa., in voting to advance the measure.Four Republicans didn’t vote: Sens.
Katie Britt, R-Ala., Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rand Paul, R-Ky.Add NBC News to GoogleTrump attends dignified transfer of U.S.troops02:02The votes in both chambers were pushed by Democrats eager to get Republicans on the record about an unpopular war ahead of the midterm elections and to reassert Congress’s role as the branch of government responsible for declaring war.Multiple Senate Republicans have said the war should not go on for more than 60 days without congressional approval in order to comply with federal law.
They include Sen.Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen.
John Curtis, R-Utah.But both men on Thursday voted against the measure to end the Iran war.Asked why, Tillis said the 60-day clock started this month, not back in February when Trump and Israel first launched strikes on Iran.
“July 10, to my knowledge, is the first time I heard anyone in the administration refer to it as a war,” Tillis said, adding that it would be important for Congress to authorize the war once 60 days are up.“The clock is ticking.We got to get serious about that,” Tillis ...