US House Rejects Bill Limiting Trump’s Authority to Deploy Troops in Lebanon

The US House of Representatives rejected for the second time a resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s power to deploy American forces in Lebanon without prior congressional approval. The resolution, introduced by Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib from Michigan, received 189 votes in favor and 235 against, failing despite amendments made to the original version earlier this month. The revised resolution, supported by Democratic leaders, required the president to withdraw US armed forces from "any hostilities in Lebanon" within seven days of approval, while allowing continued security cooperation with the Lebanese army and protection of US diplomatic facilities. The original version demanded a complete US troop withdrawal from Lebanon within the same timeframe.

The vote took place amid rising tensions along Lebanon’s southern border, threatening to derail a final peace agreement between the US and Iran. Tehran and Hezbollah demand a full Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of any war-ending deal, while a recent agreement between Israel and Lebanon links Israeli withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament, a condition rejected by the Democratic Party. During House debates, Tlaib stated the resolution aimed to "immediately stop any American involvement in the violent Israeli government attack on the Lebanese people," accusing Israel of "ethnic cleansing and territorial expansion" through its military actions in southern Lebanon.

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the revised resolution addressed shortcomings of the previous draft, protecting US security interests in Lebanon and preventing the US from entering an "endless war" without congressional approval. He noted that US forces were not currently engaged in combat operations alongside the Israeli military in Lebanon but emphasized the resolution would ensure this remained the case.

In contrast, Republican Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast criticized the resolution as "still pretty ridiculous," calling it a "victory for terrorists." Mast argued that Hezbollah was the sole obstacle to peace between Israel and Lebanon, stating both governments want to end the fighting, but Hezbollah refuses to disarm.