Two Iowa Republicans Flip to Back Iran War Powers Resolution

Two Republican congressmen from competitive Iowa districts reversed their earlier positions and backed a war powers resolution aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from continuing military operations against Iran without congressional approval.

Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks joined Democrats and five other Republicans in supporting the measure on Tuesday. Both had previously opposed it. The resolution's margin resembled that of two earlier attempts to end the conflict, with slightly more Republicans breaking ranks this time.

Nunn, an Air Force veteran, said on social media that with the negotiating window closed, sustained combat operations now require congressional authorization. "I will not support another open-ended war," he said.

His shift comes after he campaigned last month alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who praised Nunn at an Iowa State Fair fundraiser as an ally who did not need late-night persuasion from the president. Nunn faces Sarah Trone Garriott in November.

Miller-Meeks, an Army veteran, said the president must present Congress and the public with a plan showing how the war ends, so attention can return to bringing soldiers home and lowering prices. "Americans do not want another forever war," she said. She faces a rematch against Christina Bohannan, whom she has defeated twice.

The other Republicans backing the resolution were retiring Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa and is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Joni Ernst, voted against it.

The vote reflects political pressure on Republicans ahead of midterm elections that will decide control of Congress. The war remains unpopular and has driven fuel prices higher. Eighteen U.S. service members have died in the conflict, including two from Iowa and one who previously lived there.

National polling shows broad disapproval of the war. About three in ten U.S. adults approved of Trump's handling of Iran in a July poll, and a September survey found roughly six in ten likely voters considered his decision to go to war the wrong one.

Iowa's competitive races have drawn attention from the White House. Trump visited Des Moines suburbs in January, and Vice President JD Vance campaigned for Nunn in May. After Hegseth's appearance with Nunn, more than 400 former national security officials filed a complaint seeking an investigation into whether the secretary violated the Hatch Act, which limits political activity by federal officials. Hegseth's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.