Golden Flips to Yes, Boosting Iran War Powers Vote
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- Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), the lone Democrat who has voted against every prior Iran war powers resolution, told Axios his "intention is to vote yes" on Thursday, telling the outlet it is "past 60 days" since the conflict was initiated.
- The resolution is "clean," Golden said, distinguishing it from a prior version voted on last week that failed in a stunning 212-212 tie.
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a pro-interventionist retiring this year, told Axios he is "very split" and that Trump "needs more authorities to use force" — but stressed "we have the constitution and Article One authorities."
- House Republican leadership postponed the vote from Wednesday to Thursday after 20 members were absent (7 Democrats, 13 Republicans), with Democrats telling Axios the measure "would have passed today that's why they pulled it."
- Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the House Intelligence Committee ranking member leading the measure, said he is "feeling pretty good" about Thursday's outcome.
- Last week's failed 212-212 vote saw Golden vote no while Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) voted yes; half a dozen members were absent.
Why it matters: The vote is largely symbolic since Trump would likely veto, but Golden's flip from last week's 212-212 tie likely puts passage within reach — the first formal congressional rebuke of the Iran conflict after the War Powers Act's 60-day clock expired. For a president who already lost four members of his own caucus on the prior vote, the math is now even worse.
