U.S. House just let Donald Trump’s war with Iran continue, and it only took 1 Democrat to keep it going
Jared Golden has done this before.
The U.S. House just came one vote short of forcing an end to the war with Iran, and a single Democrat’s decision to break ranks kept the conflict alive. On April 16, 2026, the House voted 213-214 against a resolution that would have ordered the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran. Every Democrat except one supported the measure, while only one Republican joined them.
According to NBC News, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the lone Democrat to vote against the resolution, effectively siding with Republicans and the president. The vote was nearly identical to a failed attempt on March 5, when the House rejected a similar measure 212-219. The Senate had already voted 52-47 against its own version just a day earlier, with nearly all Republicans opposing any restrictions on the president’s military campaign.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks, would have required the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorized continued action. Meeks argued that the war was launched without congressional approval and lacked a clear strategy.
Trump was again criticized for launching a war without approval from Congress
“Donald Trump has dragged the American people into a war of choice, launched without congressional authorization,” Meeks said on the House floor. “The president has no coherent strategy, and this open-ended, undefined military engagement is precisely what the War Powers Resolution was designed to restrain. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.”
Golden, however, defended his vote in a statement, saying, “The purported aim of this and other War Powers resolutions is to stop the hostilities. Thankfully, the United States and Iran are currently in a ceasefire, and we are negotiating over critical questions of national security and international order.”
He added, “I believe we must maintain a strong negotiation position over Iran’s nuclear program, freedom of movement in the international waters at the Strait of Hormuz, and how to achieve a durable peace between our two nations. At this moment, a resolution like this would weaken our hand.”
His stance isn’t new. According to Fox News, back in June 2025, he publicly supported the president’s decision to launch strikes against Iran, calling the regime “hostile to the United States” and a sponsor of terrorism. “Based on what I know so far, I believe the president was right to launch limited strikes to deter that outcome,” he said at the time.
He cited concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and the need to defend American troops after Iran launched missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar. “The top priority for the president and his administration, as well as for Congress, must be to use every tool at our disposal to defend Americans and deter further escalation by Tehran,” he added.
Jared Golden’s district in Maine is politically competitive
Golden won his seat by less than 1% in 2024, while the president carried the district by 10 points. His willingness to break from his party on national security issues isn’t surprising, given his past votes on trade, border security, and military matters. But his decision to side with Republicans on this vote has drawn attention, especially as public opinion shifts against the war.
Recent polls show that 60% of Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, while 64% disapprove of the president’s handling of the situation. The economic fallout has also been noticeable, with gas prices rising since the war began. The increasing costs of diesel and fertilizer have raised concerns among Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, potentially influencing future votes on war powers.
The president himself has framed the conflict as a success. Despite his optimism, the war shows no signs of ending. The House’s failure to pass the resolution means the conflict will continue without explicit congressional approval, leaving the president with broad authority to escalate or de-escalate as he sees fit. For now, the war’s future hinges on negotiations and whether public pressure or economic consequences force lawmakers to reconsider their stance.
(Featured image: U.S. House Representative Jared Golden’s Office)
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