Two House Republicans in battleground Iowa districts switched their votes on an Iran war powers resolution on September 16, 2026, joining Democrats and a small group of dissident party members to try to halt President Donald Trump’s military actions without congressional authorization, according to the Associated Press.
Political Pressure in Iowa Battleground Districts
Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks highlights intense political pressures facing Republicans ahead of midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, as the conflict with Iran remains unpopular with voters and has driven up fuel prices, according to the Associated Press. Nunn and Miller-Meeks voted for the resolution alongside five other Republicans after previously voting against similar measures.
“With the negotiating window closed, sustained combat operations now require congressional authorization,” Nunn posted on social media, as reported by the Associated Press. “I will not support another open-ended war.”
Nunn, an Air Force veteran, is facing Sarah Trone Garriott in the November election, according to the Associated Press. The race has drawn high-level attention from the White House, with Trump visiting Des Moines suburbs in January and Vice President JD Vance campaigning for Nunn in May. Last month, Nunn campaigned alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Iowa State Fair, where Hegseth praised Nunn as an ally, according to the Associated Press.
Lawmakers Cite Economic Costs and End-State Demands
Miller-Meeks, an Army veteran facing a reelection rematch against Christina Bohannan, stated that the president must present a clear plan to Congress and the public detailing how the war ends so the nation can focus on bringing soldiers home and lowering prices, according to the Associated Press. Miller-Meeks has defeated Bohannan twice before in previous election cycles.
“Americans do not want another forever war,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement reported by the Associated Press. “I will not vote to keep our soldiers in an open-ended war, with Iowans paying too much at the pump.”
According to the Associated Press, 18 U.S. service members have died in the war with Iran, including two from Iowa and one who formerly lived in the state. National polling data shows widespread public opposition to the conflict. A July AP-NORC poll found that only about 3 in 10 U.S. adults approved of Trump’s handling of Iran, while a September New York Times/Siena poll indicated that roughly 6 in 10 likely voters believe the decision to go to war was wrong, according to the Associated Press.
House Vote Margins and Congressional Alignment
Tuesday’s roll call marked the third time lawmakers voted to end the war in Iran, according to the Associated Press. While the overall margin remained similar to prior attempts, a slightly larger group of Republicans joined all voting Democrats to advance the measure.
In addition to Nunn and Miller-Meeks, retiring Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina joined Republican Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky in supporting the resolution, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa and is running to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, voted against the resolution, according to the Associated Press.