House passes resolution to end Iran war, challenging Trump

House lawmakers on Wednesday passed legislation designed to force President Trump to end the Iran war, marking a victory for Democrats and the constitutional purists who say the conflict is illegal without explicit congressional approval.

The tally was 215-208, with four Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Tom Barrett (Mich.) and Warren Davidson (Ohio) — joining every Democrat in supporting the measure.

The development is largely symbolic, since there are lingering disputes about whether the measure, known as a concurrent resolution, carries the force of law. And Trump is certain to contest the authority of the measure even if it’s also passed by the Senate, where it’s headed next.

Still, the vote represents a significant development in the political battle over the Iran war, putting Congress on the record in condemning a conflict that has dragged on for more than three months — and rattled the global economy — with no clear end in sight.

“It’s very powerful,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) said. “We’re inching closer to having both chambers of Congress declare this an illegal war. That’s huge.”

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