House Democrats have clamped down on internal divisions ahead of an expected vote to constrain President Trump's ability to wage war with Iran, Axios has learned from lawmakers familiar with the matter. Why it matters: That apparent Democratic unity gives the measure a more realistic chance of passing the House, with a pair of isolationist Republicans having voted for it last time. - With a 217 to 214 majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) can only afford one GOP defection on an otherwise party-line vote. - That doesn't even factor in House Republican leadership's attendance concerns , including that members who lost their primaries or bids for higher office will stop showing up to vote. State of play: Four House Democrats —…
Progressive groups are preparing to primary any House Democrat who votes against a war powers resolution constraining the Trump administration from carrying out military operations in Iran, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The threat raises the stakes of a highly charged Thursday vote which has split a group of hawkish Democratic centrists from the rest of their party. - "Any Democrat voting against this resolution is really voting against the base of the party, and it will be a very politically perilous vote," a senior progressive House Democrat told Axios. - The lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been previously publicized, said there are "several progressive groups that will primary…
Democratic divisions on Middle East policy roared back to the surface on Saturday after the U.S. and Israel launched what President Trump described as "major combat operations" in Iran . Why it matters: There may be enough defections from hawkish Democrats to doom a measure Democratic leadership plans to force to a vote next week reining in Trump's war powers. - "I don't support the resolution, which would require us to completely abandon our allies," Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told Axios. - "The Administration returned to the practice of notifying Congress of a strike with [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio briefing the Gang of 8 last week. The strikes are an attempt to prevent further war, not to start one." State of play: Trump…
Half a dozen House Republicans voted with the majority of Democrats on Wednesday to overturn President Trump's tariffs on Canada. Why it matters: The vote signals growing GOP discomfort with Trump's aggressive tariff strategy , and a willingness by some Republicans to buck the president after months of being in lockstep with the White House. - Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) voted to terminate Trump's use of a national emergency to impose tariffs on Canada. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) was the lone Democratic no. - Wednesday's vote marks the first time the House has formally weighed in on Trump's trade agenda. - The vote…
House Democrats are already planning to force votes overturning at least two of President Trump's tariffs , with more likely to follow, senior lawmakers tell Axios. Why it matters: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has repeatedly blocked these votes over the past year, but his attempt to do so on Tuesday was thwarted by a trio of Republican defectors in a late-night vote. - Johnson's procedural maneuver to stop Democrats from forcing votes to end Trump's tariffs under the National Emergencies Act failed 214 to 217, with Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) breaking away. What they're saying: "We are going to do Canada today and follow with Mexico," House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Greg…