Politics
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Trump sees three new defections in House vote to end Iran war
By
Sarah FerrisUpdated 14 min ago
US Navy sailors work on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington as it transits the Arabian Sea to support US military operations in the war with Iran August 20, 2026. US Navy/Handout/Reuters
The House on Tuesday voted to approve a measure that would require President Donald Trump to end his war with Iran, offering a potent political rebuke of the administration’s handling of the war just weeks before the midterms.
This is now the third time that the House — led by Democrats, but with help from at least a few Republicans — has ordered Trump to withdraw troops from Iran. But Democrats argue this vote is their most important push yet, coming as one of the chamber’s last votes before the November elections.
Seven Republicans backed the measure, up from four GOP votes for the last two resolutions.
Three new Republicans voted with Democrats on Tuesday’s vote: Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, who both represent competitive seats in Iowa, and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who is leaving Congress after this term.
The Republicans who had previously voted in favor are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.
Officially, House GOP leaders do not whip their members one way or another on these types of resolutions. But Trump himself has lashed out at Republicans who have voted against him on the issue —making clear that he sees it as something of a litmus test for his support.
One of Congress’ last attempts to rein in Trump’s military authorities in Iran ended on a dramatic note: Enough Senate Republicans initially voted to pass the measure, but then pressure from the White House ultimately forced a GOP senator to change his vote. It’s not yet clear if the Senate would have the votes to pass the measure again, but Democrats plan to try later this week.
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An EC-225 Super Puma approaches the flight deck of the USNS Wally Schirra, during a replenishment-at-sea with the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason, on September 9. US Navy
Iran war expected to cause a spike in US inflation, according to budget watchdog
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Outside the Capitol, voters have been increasingly skeptical of the hostilities in Iran, with 67% of people saying that Trump’s decisions about military action in Iran have hurt the US, according to a summertime CNN poll. Fuel prices are again climbing, with diesel now topping $6 a gallon.
Democrats have spent much of 2026 forcing their GOP counterparts to go on record about the administration hostilities’ with Iran, which have effectively become the nation’s first one-party war.
Now, even Trump’s own party is refusing to support more funding to the war, with the Pentagon’s multi-billion dollar request now likely to languish until after the midterms.
This story has been updated with additional details.
