Massie the lone Republican to vote for war powers resolution reining in Trump administration
By Josh James
April 16, 2026 at 7:05 PM EDT
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie was the only Republican to cross party lines in a vote on Iran war powers Thursday.
The House rejected a resolution mandating President Donald Trump withdraw U.S. forces from the war unless Congress authorizes military action. Massie has cited Trump's promises to end "forever wars," and charging the president with abandoning his “America First” doctrine.
Earlier this week, Massie said maintaining a ceasefire with Iran requires more talks that directly include Israel.
"I think it's fruitless to negotiate a ceasefire unless Israel is in the room," he told reporters. "We can't go and do something and they go undo it or they say 'oh we have a different set of rules.' So if there's going to be a real ceasefire, they've got to bring everybody to the table that's involved with the war, which includes Israel."
Trump said Thursday that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire after officials from the two countries met in Washington, a development that could remove one pressure point in talks with Iran.
GOP groups have attacked Massie in campaign ads for his position on the war powers resolutions, as Trump allies work to unseat the northern Kentucky Republican in the primaries. The president is backing Ed Gallrein for the seat.
It's a closely-watched contest pitting a well-established GOP incumbent against Trump ahead of midterms — leading political observers to hint that the result could signal whether real cracks are developing in the president's base.
Earlier this week, Massie said maintaining a ceasefire with Iran requires more talks that directly include Israel.
"I think it's fruitless to negotiate a ceasefire unless Israel is in the room," he told reporters. "We can't go and do something and they go undo it or they say 'oh we have a different set of rules.' So if there's going to be a real ceasefire, they've got to bring everybody to the table that's involved with the war, which includes Israel."
Trump said Thursday that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire after officials from the two countries met in Washington, a development that could remove one pressure point in talks with Iran.
GOP groups have attacked Massie in campaign ads for his position on the war powers resolutions, as Trump allies work to unseat the northern Kentucky Republican in the primaries. The president is backing Ed Gallrein for the seat.
It's a closely-watched contest pitting a well-established GOP incumbent against Trump ahead of midterms — leading political observers to hint that the result could signal whether real cracks are developing in the president's base.