Thomas Massie Pushes Bipartisan Bid To Block US From Entering Iran-Israel Conflict

<p>In a move that's raising eyebrows across the political spectrum, Representative Thomas Massie on Tuesday introduced a resolution in the House aiming to halt US involvement in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.</p> <p>Massie, a Republican from Kentucky known for his staunch libertarian views, shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the resolution has support from a group of progressive Democrats led by California Congressman Ro Khanna.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I just introduced an Iran War Powers Resolution with <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRoKhanna?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepRoKhanna</a> to prohibit US involvement in the Israel-Iran war.<br /><br />This is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. <a href="https://t.co/LuIl59lt45">pic.twitter.com/LuIl59lt45</a></p> &mdash; Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/1935001863100699058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>The bipartisan measure invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which restricts the president's authority to engage in military action without congressional approval.</p> <p>"This is not our war," Massie wrote in his post. "Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution." Alongside his statement, he shared a copy of the formal resolution, underscoring his message that any US military engagement must be rooted in the constitutional process.</p> <h2><strong>Rare Alliance</strong></h2> <p>The effort underscores a rare but growing coalition in Congress: conservative non-interventionists and progressive anti-war Democrats. It's a political alliance that often emerges when questions of unchecked executive power and foreign military entanglements are on the table.</p> <p>Massie's resolution has drawn the backing of several prominent Democrats, including Representatives Don Beyer, Greg Casar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia Vel&aacute;zquez, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Pramila Jayapal, Summer Lee, Jim McGovern, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, American news website Politico reported.</p> <h2><strong>Pro-Israel MPs Disagree With Massie</strong></h2> <p>However, not all lawmakers are on board. Some pro-Israel members of Congress have pushed back firmly. "If AOC and Massie are a yes, that's a good bet that I'll be a no," said moderate New York Representative Mike Lawler, referencing Ocasio-Cortez and Massie's unlikely collaboration, reported Politico.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, has introduced a similar resolution in the Senate, although he has yet to secure Republican support. The House resolution, Khanna noted, would be introduced as a "privileged" measure &mdash; a procedural move that compels House leadership to bring it to the floor for a vote. This could place Speaker Mike Johnson in a difficult position, forcing deliberation on a matter he might prefer to avoid.</p> <p>While Republican leaders may attempt to sideline the measure through the House Rules Committee &mdash; a tactic used previously to block votes on trade policies under former President Trump &mdash; the resolution's bipartisan nature may complicate such efforts.</p> <p>As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, Massie's resolution marks a renewed push to reaffirm congressional authority over decisions of war &mdash; and tests how far that power reaches in a divided Washington.</p>

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