WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives voted 324 to 92 to defeat a Democratic-led resolution that would have required the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Lebanon. Michigan Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib forced a floor vote on the Lebanon War Powers Resolution on Thursday.
The resolution sought to compel President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from Lebanon within seven days of its passage. Ninety-one Democrats and one Republican supported the measure, with Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie casting the lone Republican vote in favor.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated, "There are no U.S. servicemembers involved in combat operations or hostilities in Lebanon." Jeffries added, "We stand with the Lebanese people, the government of Lebanon, and the Lebanese Armed Forces in their efforts to live peacefully and defeat Hezbollah, a violent terrorist organization that is a sworn enemy of the United States."
Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Dan Goldman, both Democrats, voted against the resolution. Nadler said, "Our opposition should not be taken as an approval of Prime Minister Netanyahu's prosecution of Israel's military action in Lebanon." He further stated, "To the extent that American armed forces are present in Lebanon, it is to support the current Lebanese government, which deserves our assistance."
Tlaib stated, "The people of Lebanon can't wait another month for Congress to act. Every day that we do nothing, 11 more Lebanese children are killed or injured by the Israeli military in this US-supported invasion. Congress must pass today's Lebanon War Powers Resolution." She cited a UNICEF report based on data from Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, indicating that 77 children died in Lebanon over a one-week period.