The Republican-held U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday failed to pass a war powers resolution to rein in U.S. President Donald Trump's attacks on Iran, one day after a similar measure failed to advance in the Senate.
The lower chamber voted 212-219 -- largely along party lines -- to reject the resolution, which is intended to prevent Trump from ordering further military strikes on Iran without congressional approval.
On Wednesday, the Republican-led upper chamber blocked the resolution by a 53-47 vote.
The latest votes in Congress showed that Democrats and Republicans remain sharply divided over the issue, with Democrats largely criticizing the military strikes against Iran, while Republicans predominantly defended the president.
The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. The bill passed by the U.S. Congress in 1973 stipulates that the U.S. President can only take limited military action without the authorization of Congress in the case of a national emergency caused by an attack or imminent threat against the United States.
In response to the military action taken by the U.S. against Iran, a number of Democrats voiced their criticism that the action was "illegal" without the authorization of Congress.
Republican-held US House rejects war powers resolution aimed at curbing Trump's Iran attacks
