Iowa Republicans in battleground House races vote to halt the Iran war

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two House Republicans in battleground Iowa districts, including one who recently campaigned alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, changed their position on an Iran war powers resolution , joining with Democrats and a few other dissident members of their party in an attempt to halt President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military action without congressional approval. The shift reflects the political pressure on Republicans before midterm elections that will decide control of Congress. The war remains unpopular and has led to soaring fuel prices . Miller-Meeks, an Army veteran, said in a statement the president needs to present a plan to Congress and the public showing how the war ends so “we can focus on bringing our soldiers home and lowering prices.” “Americans do not want another forever war,” she said. “I will not vote to keep our soldiers in an open-ended war, with Iowans paying too much at the pump.” She faces a reelection rematch against Christina Bohannan , whom she has defeated twice before.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open Direct local · WTOP

Scoop News Deskraces vote to halt the Iran war DES MOINES, Iowa · Published Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 2:31 PM UTCUpdated Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 2:42 PM UTC

Scoop News reporting summary

The text below was supplied by the Scoop Newsroom app. Third-party reporting is attributed in the source panel.

Eighteen U.S. service members have died in the war with Iran. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted for the resolution with five other Republicans on Tuesday after previously voting against it. “With the negotiating window closed, sustained combat operations now require congressional authorization,” Nunn, an Air Force veteran, posted on social media. “I will not support another open-ended war.” Nunn campaigned with Hegseth last month in Iowa, and the Pentagon chief had lauded Nunn as an ally who didn’t need any last-minute, late-night phone calls from Trump to persuade him to support the president’s agenda. “Zach Nunn is not a 3 a.m. congressman,” Hegseth said at a fundraiser for Nunn during the Iowa State Fair. “He’s willing to take the tough votes to do the right thing on behalf of our war fighters.” Nunn is up against Sarah Trone Garriott in November’s election.