Rep. Massie's push for Iran war powers vote fails with little GOP support

Austin Horn, Lexington Herald-Leader on Mar 5, 2026

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Another resolution sponsored by a Kentucky Republican failed to advance in Congress Thursday evening.

An effort from Rep. Thomas Massie to stop U.S. military action in Iran and force the Trump administration to get congressional approval for continued involvement failed in a close 212-219 vote.

The resolution was similar to another ill-fated effort by Kentucky’s Rand Paul in the Senate. Paul’s bipartisan resolution failed 47-53, with Paul being the only Republican to support it. The U.S. began its conflict over the weekend.

Massie’s resolution, co-sponsored by Democrat Ro Khanna of California, only received one other GOP “yes” vote. All but four Democrats voted for it.

“The Iran War Powers Resolution narrowly failed, but we put everyone on record. We’re being told this military action could last months. That’s the exact circumstance in which the Founders intended for Congress to authorize war, but sadly we’ve now abdicated that responsibility,” Massie wrote in a post to social media.

Massie has been a frequent critic of many decisions by the Trump administration, including most of its major foreign policy decisions as well as its handling of the files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump is supporting a GOP opponent, Ed Gallrein, in Massie’s May 19 primary election.

Rep. Andy Barr, who voted against the resolution, wrote in a statement that the resolution was “outrageous.”

“President Trump clearly has the authority to carry out Operation Epic Fury. Trump promised that Iran would never get a nuclear weapon. Our President is making good on that promise and eliminating the largest state sponsor of terrorism that has killed thousands of Americans since 1979,” Barr wrote.

Barr hopes to secure Trump’s endorsement in the competitive Republican primary to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not running for reelection.

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