The U.S. House of Representatives has rejected another effort to rein in President Trump's ability to wage war against Iran. On Thursday, House members failed to advance the war powers resolution on a tied vote of 212 to 212, after Democrat Jared Golden of Maine joined most Republicans in opposition.
This was the third failed attempt by House Democrats to end Trump's attacks on Iran through a war powers resolution. The vote highlights the deep partisan divide over the ongoing military campaign and the difficulty Congress faces in asserting its constitutional authority over war-making.
The resolution's failure comes as NBC News reports the Pentagon is considering renaming Operation Epic Fury to Operation Sledgehammer in a bid to circumvent a 60-day limit under the War Powers Act. That law requires the president to obtain congressional approval for military strikes that extend beyond 60 days. By renaming and potentially restructuring the operation, the administration could argue it is a new military action with a fresh 60-day clock.
Meanwhile, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he dismissed reports of civilian deaths from U.S. attacks on Iran. When pressed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand about reports that 22 schools and multiple hospitals had been hit, Cooper said there was no way that they could corroborate that. He acknowledged only one active civilian casualty investigation from over 13,600 munitions deployed.
The war powers debate is likely to intensify as the military campaign continues without a clear diplomatic off-ramp following the unsuccessful Trump-Xi summit in Beijing.