WASHINGTON—Representative Josh Gottheimer introduced an alternative War Powers Resolution on March 7 after reversing his stance during a failed House vote to limit President Donald Trump's military action against Iran. The Wyckoff Democrat was initially one of only five House Democrats to oppose his party's measure before changing his vote and offering his own proposal.

House Vote Falls Along Party Lines

The House voted 212-219 on March 5 to reject a resolution directing Trump to end military operations in Iran within 30 days. All three New Jersey Republicans (Jeff Van Drew, Chris Smith and Tom Kean Jr.) voted no. All nine state Democrats voted yes.

Four Democrats nationwide voted no: Greg Landsman of Ohio, Jared Golden of Maine, Henry Cuellar of Texas and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas. Gottheimer had initially joined this group in opposing the resolution but changed his vote before the final tally. Landsman, Golden and Cuellar are now co-sponsoring Gottheimer's alternative. 

Gottheimer explained his reversal in a March 5 statement issued after the vote. "With the defeat of the War Powers Resolution in the Senate, the vote in the house today shifted from an unacceptable call that could put our troops in harm's way, to a clear call for this Administration to articulate the goals for the mission, the end game, and their plan to avoid a protracted conflict," he said. He added that "Jersey has no appetite for ground troops or an endless war."

Gottheimer's alternative would direct Trump to end military action within 30 days of February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes began. It prohibits ground troops without congressional authorization while preserving exceptions for embassy protection and self-defense. The privileged resolution can reach the floor without Republican leadership approval. A vote is scheduled for the week of March 23.

Senate Rejects Parallel Measure

The Senate rejected a parallel measure 47-53 on March 4. Both New Jersey senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, voted to advance it as original co-sponsors. Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the Senate measure.

Kim spoke extensively about the resolution. "This is one of the most dangerous efforts that Trump is undertaking in the second term: trying to normalize war without Congress, trying to normalize the idea that a president can just do whatever they want when it comes to foreign policy," he said on the Senate floor. After the defeat he told reporters: "The American people are livid. They do not want this."

The conflict began February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without congressional authorization. Six U.S. service members have died, including two killed March 1 at a Qatar base.

Alternative Faces Long Odds

The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing armed forces into hostilities and to end operations within 60 days without authorization. Congress has never successfully invoked it to end military action.

Gottheimer's resolution faces long odds. Republicans control the House 220-213 and the Senate 53-47. Trump would veto any measure that reached his desk.

New Jersey's delegation reflects national patterns. Republicans uniformly supported Trump's authority while Democrats uniformly sought to constrain it.

Sources

House Clerk Roll Call 85 (March 5, 2026)
Senate.gov Roll Call Vote 46 (March 4, 2026)
Gottheimer.house.gov press releases (March 5, March 7, 2026)
Reuters casualty reporting
PolitiFact, Roll Call, WHYY, NJ Spotlight