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.
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.
I just introduced an Iran War Powers Resolution with @RepRoKhanna to prohibit US involvement in the Israel-Iran war.
This is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. pic.twitter.com/LuIl59lt45
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 17, 2025
The bipartisan measure invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which restricts the president’s authority to engage in military action without congressional approval.
“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.
Rare Alliance
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.
Massie’s resolution has drawn the backing of several prominent Democrats, including Representatives Don Beyer, Greg Casar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia Velázquez, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Pramila Jayapal, Summer Lee, Jim McGovern, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, American news website Politico reported.
Pro-Israel MPs Disagree With Massie
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.
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 — 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.
While Republican leaders may attempt to sideline the measure through the House Rules Committee — a tactic used previously to block votes on trade policies under former President Trump — the resolution’s bipartisan nature may complicate such efforts.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, Massie’s resolution marks a renewed push to reaffirm congressional authority over decisions of war — and tests how far that power reaches in a divided Washington.
