Barrett votes against Iran War in repeat of June vote

The Republican-led U.S. House approved on Thursday a Democrat-led resolution to halt the war in Iran unless Congress gives additional approval but the U.S. Senate soon after rejected the idea.

U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, a Charlotte Republican, voted again with three other Republicans and with the Democrats to oppose the war in Iran. The vote was 214-208.

It was a repeat of a June vote. This time, with a divided Congress, the votes sent mixed messages about whether the country has tired or remains supportive of the war.

The House measure sought to halt the war in Iran unless Congress approves and was largely symbolic because even if the Senate had agreed, as a concurring resolution, the measure would not be binding on President Donald Trump. The votes do happen months before the general election and weeks before Michigan’s primary election.

But for critics of the war and the administration, there was significant value in the vote, as it signals rare opposition to the president’s military actions.

The war was launched in February when the Trump administration said military action was urgently needed to halt Iran’s nuclear programs and topple its military leadership.

Republican U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie (Kentucky), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) and Warren Davidson (Ohio) joined with Barrett.

Barrett is running for re-election.

Democrats William Lawrence, Bridget Brink and Matt Maasdam are in the midst of a primary to determine who will face Barrett in the November general election.