House Rejects War Powers Limit as U.S. Conflict Costs Reach $29 Billion

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly blocked a challenge to President Donald Trump's military authority against Iran on Thursday, resulting in a 212-212 tie vote. The failure of H.Con.Res. 75, sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, ensures that the executive branch maintains its current scope for military operations without new congressional constraints. This legislative deadlock follows a similar rejection in the Senate on Wednesday, marking the seventh time the upper chamber has voted on the issue. Simultaneously, Pentagon officials provided Congress with the first comprehensive fiscal update of the conflict, testifying that war-related expenditures have reached $29 billion. This estimate covers operational costs but does not factor in the repair or replacement of U.S. military assets damaged by Iranian drone and missile strikes. In Washington, Vice President JD Vance voiced cautious optimism regarding diplomatic channels, stating that while "progress" is being made in talks, the administration's primary objective remains ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. Regional tensions intensified as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking from a BRICS summit in India, accused the United Arab Emirates of acting as a "direct partner" in regional strikes against Iranian interests. Although the UAE continues to deny allowing its territory to be used for offensive operations, the rhetoric marks an escalation in diplomatic friction between Tehran and its neighbors. On the ground, the conflict remains volatile as Iranian-backed Hezbollah launched 17 operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, even as a fragile ceasefire between direct U.S. and Iranian forces remains largely in effect since April 8.