WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-2nd District of Massachusetts), rebuked House Republican leaders Thursday after they canceled a scheduled vote on an Iran War Powers Resolution that sought to end U.S. military action against Iran unless President Donald Trump obtained congressional authorization.
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives unexpectedly canceled the vote Thursday, May 21, shortly before lawmakers left Washington for Memorial Day recess. The resolution had been scheduled for a late-afternoon vote and appeared likely to pass because of expected Republican defections and absences.
Axios reported that House Republican leadership pulled the vote after it became clear they did not have the votes to defeat the measure.
The measure, H. Con. Res. 86, sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-New York) is titled, “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” The resolution directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless the military action is authorized by Congress or through a declaration of war.
McGovern, the ranking member of the House Committee on Rules, rose on the House floor after the vote was pulled and questioned why the chamber was no longer voting on the resolution.
“Mr. Speaker, can you explain to the members of the chamber what is happening with the Iran War Powers Resolution that was scheduled to be voted on this evening?” McGovern asked.
After the presiding officer asked whether McGovern had a parliamentary question, McGovern said that was his “parliamentary inquiry.”
“I just want to know what has happened with the Iran War Powers Resolution,” McGovern said.
🚨NEWS: Republicans just pulled a vote on the Iran War Powers Resolution because they knew they were going to lose. They rigged the rules to protect the president’s historically unpopular war from a fair up or down vote. pic.twitter.com/v2JzwD7UKJ
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) May 21, 2026
The presiding officer told McGovern he could consult with his leadership about scheduling. McGovern then accused Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) of avoiding the vote because of public opposition to the war.
“Are we not voting on it because the American people are sick and tired of this illegal war that is costing tens of billions of dollars?” McGovern said. “Gas prices are through the roof, people can’t afford their groceries, is that why you’re pulling it? You guys don’t have the guts or the balls to vote on this.”
Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and sponsor of the resolution, told reporters after the vote was canceled that Democrats had enough support for the resolution to pass.
“We had the votes without question, and they knew it, and as a result, they’re playing a political game,” Meeks said.
The House vote was delayed until early June, but no specific date was immediately announced.
