The US House of Representatives has voted for a third time to direct President Donald Trump to remove American forces from hostilities with Iran, as lawmakers continue to debate the scope of presidential military authority and the growing financial cost of the conflict.
The resolution passed by a 220-204 vote, with all Democrats and seven Republicans supporting the measure. The latest vote received more Republican backing than two earlier House efforts in June and July, when four Republicans supported similar resolutions.
The vote came hours after a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the conflict had directly cost the US Department of Defense approximately $38 billion through August 1, 2026.
The CBO also estimated that continued fighting could cost between $2 billion and $3 billion per month, depending on the intensity of military operations.
House Approves War Powers Resolution
The resolution was sponsored by Democratic Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts and seeks to direct the president to remove US armed forces from hostilities with Iran.
The House has now approved similar measures three times during the conflict. Comparable resolutions were passed in June and July but did not result in an enacted restriction on the president’s military campaign.
Seven Republicans supported the latest measure: Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Warren Davidson, Tom Barrett, Nancy Mace, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn.
The increased Republican support indicates that the issue continues to generate disagreement within the Republican Party, although the resolution still faces uncertainty in the Senate.
Moulton Calls for Congressional Oversight
Moulton said the latest vote represented another attempt by Congress to address the continuation of the conflict.
His office said the war had continued far beyond President Trump’s original prediction that it would last only a few weeks. Moulton, who previously served as a Marine during the Iraq War, also argued that Congress has a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise the administration’s military actions.
The debate centres partly on the division of military powers between Congress and the president.
Under the US Constitution, Congress has the authority to declare war, while the president serves as commander in chief and exercises military authority. The War Powers Act, enacted after the Vietnam War, places additional limits on prolonged presidential military action and establishes procedures for congressional involvement in extended hostilities.
Democrats Highlight Military and Economic Costs
Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also criticised the administration’s approach to the conflict.
Meeks pointed to the financial cost of military operations as well as wider economic consequences, including higher energy prices and inflation.
The CBO’s latest analysis estimated that the conflict had already cost the US military about $38 billion through August 1. The estimate includes expenses related to replacing used munitions and equipment lost in combat, increased flying hours and fuel costs.
The CBO said the monthly cost could rise further if fighting intensifies. It also estimated that inflation could be 0.5 percentage points higher in early 2027 than previously expected, partly because of disruptions to energy shipments.
Republicans Defend Trump’s Strategy
Republicans who opposed the House resolution argued that Iran remains a security threat to the United States and that removing American forces could create additional risks in the region.
Representative Brian Mast of Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned what military resources Democrats wanted withdrawn.
Mast argued that Iran remains an ongoing threat and defended the administration’s approach to the conflict.
The competing arguments reflect the continuing disagreement in Congress over the extent of presidential authority to conduct military operations and the circumstances under which congressional approval is required.
Strait of Hormuz Adds Economic Pressure
The conflict has also affected global energy markets because of disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
Reduced energy shipments through the region have contributed to higher oil and fuel prices, adding pressure to households and businesses.
The CBO said disruptions to oil and natural gas shipments were among the factors that could contribute to higher inflation in the months ahead.
The economic impact has consequently become part of the broader congressional debate over the continuation of US military operations.
Previous War Powers Measures Failed to End Conflict
The House previously approved Iran-related war powers resolutions in June and July.
According to the source material, the June resolution passed 215-208, while the July measure passed 214-208. Neither resulted in an enacted restriction on the president’s military campaign.
The Senate has also taken action on a similar war powers measure, although that effort did not ultimately produce a restriction on the administration’s military operations.
The latest House resolution will therefore face another test if it moves through the Senate.
War Powers Dispute Continues
The latest vote has again brought the War Powers Act and the constitutional division of military authority into focus.
Supporters of the resolution argue that Congress should have a greater role in authorising continued hostilities, particularly when military operations extend over a prolonged period.
The Trump administration and its supporters have disputed efforts to use congressional resolutions to constrain the president’s military authority, according to the source material.
The disagreement is therefore not only about the Iran conflict itself but also about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of the US government.
Conflict Becomes Election Issue
The Iran conflict is also emerging as an issue in the run-up to the November midterm elections.
The House vote is expected to be the final action specifically targeting the Iran war before lawmakers leave Washington to campaign in their districts.
Energy prices, inflation, government spending and the broader economic consequences of the conflict have all become part of the political discussion surrounding the war.
At the same time, President Trump has continued to defend his military strategy and has said he expects the conflict to eventually end.
CBO Warns Costs Could Keep Rising
The latest CBO assessment has added another dimension to the congressional debate.
The nonpartisan budget office estimated the conflict had already cost about $38 billion through August 1, while future monthly costs could reach $2 billion to $3 billion depending on the intensity of fighting.
The estimate does not represent the full long-term economic cost of the conflict. For example, the CBO analysis does not include all potential future expenses associated with repairing damaged facilities and other longer-term consequences.
For now, the House vote represents another congressional effort to invoke war powers and challenge the continuation of US military operations against Iran. The resolution’s next steps will depend on whether it advances through the Senate and whether Congress ultimately reaches agreement on the administration’s authority to continue the conflict.
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