The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a nonbinding resolution reaffirming the U.S. government’s stance that Iran remains the “largest state sponsor of terrorism.” While the measure passed with a significant bipartisan majority of 372 to 53, the dissent was comprised entirely of Democratic lawmakers, including high-profile members of the “Squad.”
In addition to the 53 “no” votes, two Democrats opted to vote “present.” The resolution, authored by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), formalizes the House’s position on Iran’s role in funding global proxy groups and its ongoing nuclear ambitions.
According to Fox News, all members of the progressive “Squad” were among those voting against the measure. This group includes:
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)
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Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
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Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)
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Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)
Democratic opponents of the resolution offered various justifications for their votes, with many citing concerns that the language was intended to bolster President Trump’s recent military or diplomatic strategies. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) argued on social media that the resolution was “designed to justify the President’s actions in Iran” and claimed that Republicans were using the measure as “pretext for a war that should not have been started in the first place.”
Conversely, those who favored the resolution emphasized the necessity of a unified front against Iranian aggression. Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) pointed to a bipartisan classified briefing involving Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, John Ratcliffe, and General Dan Caine as evidence of the escalating threat. She stated that the briefing highlighted an Iran “intent on developing nuclear weapons behind a curtain of impenetrable ballistic weapons.”
Even some Democrats who supported the measure expressed reservations about the administration’s broader trajectory. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) noted that while he agrees Iran is a “bad actor” whose actions must be denounced, he clarified his support for the resolution did not extend to “the president’s war of choice with Iran.”
The text of the resolution draws upon several key intelligence and military assessments:
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Proxy Support: Explicitly links the Iranian regime to the financial and military support of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
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U.S. Fatalities: Cites Pentagon findings that Iranian-backed militias are responsible for roughly one in six American combat fatalities in Iraq (603 service members).
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Nuclear Stockpile: References IAEA head Rafael Grossi’s reports regarding Iran’s “large stockpile of enriched uranium” and its refusal to allow inspectors access to undeclared sites.
The 53 Democrats who voted against the resolution include: Donald S. Beyer Jr., Suzanne Bonamici, André Carson, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Yvette D. Clarke, Steve Cohen, Danny K. Davis, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Dwight Evans, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Robert Garcia, Jesús “Chuy” García, Al Green, Adelita Grijalva, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Robin Kelly, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Summer Lee, Sarah McBride, Morgan McGarvey, James P. McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Christian D. Menefee, Robert Jacobsen “Rob” Menendez Jr., Gwen Moore, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Luz Rivas, Linda T. Sánchez, Janice D. “Jan” Schakowsky, Lateefah Simon, Mark Takano, Rashida Tlaib, Lori Trahan, Lauren Underwood, Nydia M. Velázquez, Maxine Waters, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Nikema Williams.
