53 House Democrats voted against a resolution reaffirming that Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, sparking backlash from Republicans on Capitol Hill.
The measure was introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) and passed overwhelmingly in the House by a vote of 372-53.
An X post highlighting the vote quickly circulated online as critics pointed out that every vote opposing the measure came from Democrats.
The resolution reaffirmed a long-standing U.S. position that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.
It also cited evidence that Iran financially and militarily supports several militant organizations.
Those groups include Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, according to the resolution.
Lawmakers backing the measure said the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to the U.S. and its allies.
The resolution also cited Pentagon findings that Iranian-backed proxy militias were responsible for the deaths of at least 603 U.S. service members during the Iraq War.
That figure accounts for roughly one out of every six American combat fatalities in the conflict.
Several progressive lawmakers were among those who voted against the resolution.
Members of the so-called “Squad” opposed the measure, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
Critics of the resolution argued that the language could be used to justify military escalation, per the Conservative Brief.
Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA) said the measure contained inaccuracies and accused Republicans of using it to support President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.
“Republicans in Congress are not only surrendering their constitutional duties,” Simon wrote.
“They are also playing politics with a resolution reaffirming Iran as a leading state sponsor of terrorism.”
Simon added that the resolution was unnecessary because U.S. policy already recognizes Iran as a sponsor of terrorism.
Other Democrats took a different position.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) voted in favor of the resolution while still criticizing Trump’s military campaign.
“I agree with the principal assertion of this resolution that Iran is a bad actor,” Smith said.
“Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region should be denounced.”
However, Smith said he does not support what he described as a “war of choice” with Iran.
Republicans backing the resolution argued it sends an important message about confronting Iran’s actions.
Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) said intelligence briefings showed Iran continues pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities.
She warned that the Iranian regime remains a serious threat to global stability.
“Standing with our allies and confronting state-sponsored terrorism is essential to protecting Americans,” Fedorchak said.
Despite the opposition from some Democrats, the resolution passed with broad bipartisan support.
In total, 372 lawmakers voted in favor of reaffirming that Iran remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.
But the decision by 53 Democrats to vote against the measure has quickly become a new flashpoint in the debate over U.S. policy toward Iran.
