Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he will move to force a House vote on U.S. military action in Iran, arguing that Congress — not the president — must authorize any decision to place American troops in harm’s way. His announcement comes amid escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran and reports from Trump administration officials that there is a high likelihood of military strikes.
Congress must vote on war according to our Constitution. @RepRoKhanna and I will be forcing that vote to happen in the House as soon as possible.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 19, 2026
I will vote to put America first which means voting against more war in the Middle East. https://t.co/O0LcTDWNDS
In a post, Massie wrote, “Congress must vote on war according to our Constitution. @RepRoKhanna and I will be forcing that vote to happen in the House as soon as possible. I will vote to put America first which means voting against more war in the Middle East.” He was responding to a post from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) stating that “Trump officials say there’s a 90% chance of strikes on Iran” and asserting that the president cannot proceed without congressional approval.
Trump officials say there's a 90% chance of strikes on Iran. He can’t without Congress. @RepThomasMassie & I have a War Powers Resolution to debate & vote on war before putting U.S. troops in harm’s way. I will make a motion to discharge to force a vote on it next week. https://t.co/FWQ245D6B8
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) February 18, 2026
Khanna added that he and Massie have introduced a War Powers Resolution that would require debate and a vote before U.S. troops are placed in harm’s way. Khanna said he plans to make a motion to discharge the measure next week, a procedural move designed to force consideration of the resolution on the House floor if leadership does not schedule it.
The War Powers Resolution is a mechanism rooted in Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war. While presidents of both parties have historically relied on their powers as commander in chief to initiate certain military actions, lawmakers have periodically sought to reassert congressional oversight, particularly when tensions rise with adversarial nations.
The push for a vote follows a series of increasingly pointed exchanges between the United States and Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, issued warnings directed at the United States in response to recent comments by President Donald Trump about American military deployments in the region.
The US President keeps saying that they have the strongest military force in the world. The strongest military force in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot get up again.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 17, 2026
In a post, Khamenei challenged assertions of U.S. military supremacy. “The US President keeps saying that they have the strongest military force in the world,” he wrote. “The strongest military force in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot get up again.”
Trump previously announced that a large U.S. naval force was heading toward the region. In a post on Truth Social, he said a “massive Armada” led by an aircraft carrier was being deployed and could carry out its mission “with speed and violence, if necessary.” The president has tied the increased military posture to Iran’s nuclear program, warning Tehran to negotiate limits or face potential military consequences. While expressing hope that conflict can be avoided, he has emphasized that U.S. forces are prepared to act if diplomacy fails.
The renewed tensions come as Iran faces ongoing internal unrest. Protests that began in late December have continued in parts of the country and have been met with a forceful response by Iranian authorities. Human rights groups and activist networks estimate that thousands of protesters have been killed and tens of thousands detained.
Massie’s effort to force a vote reflects a broader debate in Congress over the scope of executive war powers and the role of lawmakers in authorizing military force. By signaling his intention to oppose further military engagement in the Middle East, Massie has aligned with a bipartisan coalition seeking to require formal congressional approval before any strike on Iran proceeds.
Whether House leadership will allow the measure to advance voluntarily remains unclear. If Massie and Khanna succeed in forcing a vote, it would place lawmakers on record at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension, underscoring the constitutional questions at the center of the unfolding dispute.
