The House of Representatives narrowly rejected a war powers resolution Thursday that sought to halt President Donald Trump's military actions against Iran—the measure, H. Con. Res. 38 failed on a 212-219 vote, with four Democrats joining most Republicans in opposition and two Republicans crossing the aisle in support.

Sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced a resolution directing the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Iran. The vote came after closed-door briefings by Trump administration officials and echoed a Senate rejection of a similar measure sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the day before on a 47-53 tally.

Republicans who opposed the resolution, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., argued it would play into the hands of the enemy and limit the president's authority during a limited operation. Johnson described the actions as "limited in scope and duration" with a mission nearly accomplished and no intention of full-scale war. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the resolution a demand for the president to do nothing against an imminent threat.

Democrats and the resolution's sponsors emphasized Congress's constitutional role in declaring war. Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said Trump is not a king and must seek congressional approval. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., stressed that the framers gave Congress sole power over war matters. Massie criticized the administration for lacking a clear rationale for the preemptive strikes.

The four Democrats who voted no were Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Greg Landsman of Ohio, and Juan Vargas of California. The two Republicans in favor were Massie and Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio.

The vote occurred amid a U.S.-Israeli military operation nearly a week old targeting Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic missiles. Strikes have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 1,230 people, while six U.S. service members died in a drone attack in Kuwait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the operation could last up to eight weeks, and the U.S. sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka.

A separate bipartisan group of Democrats introduced an alternative resolution allowing operations for 30 days before requiring congressional approval, though it has not yet been voted on. The House also passed a measure affirming Iran as the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism.

Lawmakers expressed unease over potential escalation, costs, and echoes of past Middle East wars, but the rejection signals continued congressional acquiescence to the administration's approach for now.