The House of Representatives voted on September 15, 2026, to direct President Trump to end hostilities with Iran, with a vote tally of 220-204. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, which seeks to halt the conflict without congressional approval. This marks the third time the House has passed a war powers resolution since June, although previous resolutions did not reach Trump's desk due to expected vetoes.
Representative Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a Marine veteran, criticized the ongoing conflict, referencing Trump's previous claims that it would last only a few weeks. Moulton emphasized the need for Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty to question military actions rather than comply with the administration.
The Republicans who voted in favor of the resolution include Tom Barrett (MI), Warren Davidson (OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Nancy Mace (SC), Thomas Massie (KY), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA), and Zach Nunn (IA). Eight other GOP members were absent from the vote, which may be the last congressional action regarding the Iran war before the upcoming midterm elections on November 3.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Iran war has cost over $38 billion as of August 1, 2026, with projections of monthly costs ranging from $2 billion to $3 billion depending on the conflict's intensity. The CBO also indicated that inflation could be 0.5 percentage points higher than expected by 2027 due to the war.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated that the Iran war is entering a new phase as U.S. allies increase their efforts to stabilize the Middle East. He expressed hope that gas prices and grocery costs would decrease following this shift, which he indicated Trump anticipates after the election. Johnson also noted that he would prefer this change to occur immediately.
Vice President JD Vance, in a recent interview, echoed Trump's sentiments that the war would conclude shortly after the midterms. He acknowledged the public's impatience but clarified that the U.S. is not currently engaged in aggressive military operations, despite occasional Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.
Vance outlined a two-phase approach to the conflict, stating that the first phase involved dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities and military power, while the second phase focuses on preventing Iran from rebuilding its military and maintaining global stability.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war, while the president, as commander in chief, has the power to engage in military actions. The War Powers Act of 1973 mandates congressional approval for sustained military actions beyond 60 or 90 days. The Trump administration has contended that the War Powers Act is unconstitutional and that the timeline resets after brief cease-fires.