Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) plan to force a vote on a war powers resolution next week to block a strike on Iran without Congressional approval, they announced today.
In almost simultaneous posts on X/Twitter, the pair confirmed that they will try blocking unilateral military action against Iran by US President Donald Trump. Massie, citing an Axios source close to Trump who gave a 90% chance of imminent strikes, wrote that he will “vote to put America first, which means voting against more war in the Middle East.”
Increased buildup could signal imminent action
In recent days, analysts have warned of an increased risk of an attack on Iran by the US following seemingly failed negotiations. On Wednesday, Axios reported that a military campaign lasting weeks could “begin very soon,” and US military buildup in the region points to increased likelihood of conflict.
In recent weeks, the Pentagon has transferred multitudes of aircraft to the region. Following negotiations that failed to produce a sought-after deal, Trump ordered an additional aircraft carrier to operate near Iran.
According to CBS, top security officials informed Trump that the US can strike Iran as soon as Saturday, although the president is reported not to have made a decision yet.
Khanna cited Iranian capabilities and dangers to troops
“I won’t let Trump launch a disastrous war without Congress voting to stop it,” Khanna wrote on X, adding that “[a] war with Iran would be catastrophic.
“Iran is a complex society of 90 million people with significant air defenses and military capabilities. We also have 30-40k US troops in the region who could be at risk of retaliation. Congress must do its job and stop this march to war.”
“I support diplomatic talks [and] a deal by Trump to handle Iran's nuclear program and protect our allies,” Khanna said, “[b]ut if Trump is preparing to bomb Iran soon & others call for troops on the ground, Congress must get on the record so Americans know where their representatives stand.”
Khanna, further dubbing the risk of conflict “another endless dumb foreign war,” has previously called for the end of the American military presence in foreign countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. Massie, who has been described as an isolationist by some.
Often described as non-interventionists, Massie and Khanna have been longtime critics of Trump’s foreign policy, including his support for Israel and action against Iran. During the 12-day war in June 2025, Massie and Khanna introduced a similar war powers resolution to prohibit Trump from joining the war.
“The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is not our war,” Massie said then, adding that “[e]ven if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.
The resolution, filed just five days before American forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities, was never voted on. This time, as the threat of war looms once again, Massie and Khanna plan to force a vote on the matter next week.