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Last Updated on May 22, 2026.

WASHINGTON – In response to House leadership abruptly pulling the vote on a war powers resolution in the face of its likely passage, and as the Senate continues debate after advancing its own war powers resolution, Win Without War Government Relations Director Eric Eikenberry released the following statement: 

“This past week was a turning point in congressional and public opposition to Trump’s disastrous Iran war, and there’s nothing that Speaker Mike Johnson or President Trump can do to overcome it.

“Late yesterday, Johnson, in his most self-debasing act of Trump toadyism to date, pulled from the floor Rep. Gregory Meeks’ war powers resolution which would terminate hostilities against Iran’s government — because he didn’t have the votes to stop it. But he and the president can only hide behind such cowardly procedural moves for so long. Meeks’ resolution would have passed if voted on. And in the Senate a few days ago, a bipartisan coalition advanced its own Sen. Tim Kaine-led war powers resolution on a 50-47 procedural vote.

“People across the country are deeply opposed to this war and have been speaking out for months to urge Congress to use its constitutional authority to stop it. We thank the legislators who have listened to those voices by forcing vote after vote opposing this war. Due to this sustained activism and pressure — evidenced by the president’s cratering political position — a bipartisan, bicameral coalition has finally emerged. It is one that will help force an end to this reckless and senseless war of choice.

“It shouldn’t have taken so long. But because of the members who prioritized their loyalty to Trump over their constitutional duty and their constituents’ clear demands, over 80 days of unnecessary war have raged. In those 80 days, joint U.S.-Israeli strikes have reportedly killed 1,700 Iranian civilians; taken the lives of 13 U.S. servicemembers, and injured hundreds more. People across the globe have struggled under the impacts of this war, including a 3.8% inflationary spike and $4.50-a-gallon gas here at home. More economic pain is on the way. 

“For Trump to fully relent from his war, Congress must go further. The House and Senate must pass their respective war powers resolutions, move to defund unauthorized hostilities, and reject any supplemental funding for this war. It will already take years to recover from this disastrous war, even if it ends today — Congress must keep Trump from digging the hole any deeper.” 

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Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for a progressive foreign policy in the United States

May 22, 2026