For the second time, the US House of Representatives has rejected a resolution intended to restrict President Donald Trump's authority to deploy American forces in military operations in Lebanon without prior congressional approval.
The resolution, proposed by Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, received 189 votes in favor and 235 against, leading to its rejection despite modifications to differentiate it from an earlier version that was also defeated this month.
The revised resolution, backed by Democratic leaders, mandated the president to withdraw American armed forces from “any combat operations in Lebanon” within seven days of the resolution's passage. It specified that this would not affect ongoing security cooperation with the Lebanese army or the protection of US diplomatic facilities. The original version called for a complete US withdrawal from Lebanon within the same timeframe.
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with Democratic leader Katherine Clark and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, clarified that the amendment was necessary because “US forces are not currently engaged in combat or hostilities in Lebanon.”
The voting took place amid escalating tensions at Lebanon’s southern border, jeopardizing a final peace agreement between the US and Iran. Tehran and Hezbollah demand Israel's full withdrawal from the region as part of any peace agreement. However, the deal signed by the Israeli and Lebanese governments last week ties Israel’s withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament, which the group opposes.
In the House discussions, Rashida Tlaib stated the resolution aims to “immediately halt any American involvement in the aggressive assault led by the Israeli government on the Lebanese people,” accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing and territorial expansion” through its military operations in southern Lebanon.
Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, a key member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the revised draft “addressed the shortcomings” of its predecessor, ensuring US security interests in Lebanon while preventing an “endless war” without congressional consent.
“To my knowledge, US forces are not currently engaged in any active combat operations in Lebanon alongside the Israeli army, but this decision ensures that will not change without Congress’s authorization,” he added. In contrast, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Republican Representative Brian Mast, criticized the resolution as "less bizarre than the previous version but still largely absurd," labeling it a “victory for terrorists.”
Mast remarked, “Hezbollah is the only party obstructing peace between Israel and Lebanon,” stating that both the Lebanese government and Israel wish to end the conflict, while the group continues to refuse to disarm.