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The House failed to pass H.Con.Res. 61, a resolution that would have directed the President to withdraw U.S. military forces from combat against certain terrorist groups in the Western Hemisphere.
The House of Representatives voted on H.Con.Res. 61, a measure that sought to limit the President's ability to use military force in North and South America. Specifically, the resolution would have required the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere unless Congress had formally declared war or provided a specific legal authorization for those actions. This measure was introduced to reassert the constitutional authority of Congress over decisions to engage in military conflict. This was a vote to adopt a concurrent resolution, a type of legislative measure used to express the sense of Congress or address matters affecting both chambers. Procedurally, it required a simple majority of those present and voting to pass. Because it is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not carry the force of law and would not have been sent to the President for a signature even if it had passed both the House and Senate. The resolution failed to pass by a narrow margin of 210 to 216. The vote followed strict party lines, with nearly all Democrats voting in favor and nearly all Republicans voting against. Because the measure failed in the House, it will not move forward to the Senate, and the current military authorities of the President remain unchanged.
Because the resolution failed, it is considered dead. It will not be sent to the Senate, and no further action will be taken on this specific measure during this session of Congress.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This vote highlights the ongoing debate between the President and Congress over who has the final say in committing U.S. forces to military conflict, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.
Who’s affected. The President: Maintains current authority to engage in military hostilities against designated groups in the region without new legislative restrictions. · U.S. Armed Forces: Personnel involved in regional counter-terrorism operations will continue their missions under existing authorizations.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus overwhelmingly supported the measure, with 208 members voting 'yes' and only two voting 'no'.
Republicans. The Republican caucus was almost entirely opposed, with 213 members voting 'no' and only two voting 'yes'.
On Agreeing to the Resolution
Dec 17, 2025
The House failed to pass H.Con.Res.
61, a resolution that would have directed the President to withdraw U.S. military forces from combat against certain terrorist groups in the Western Hemisphere.
This was a final vote to decide whether the House would adopt the resolution. To pass, it needed more 'yes' votes than 'no' votes from the members who participated.
Because the resolution failed, it is considered dead. It will not be sent to the Senate, and no further action will be taken on this specific measure during this session of Congress.
This vote highlights the ongoing debate between the President and Congress over who has the final say in committing U.S. forces to military conflict, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.
The vote was highly polarized, with Democrats largely supporting the restriction on military force and Republicans largely opposing it to maintain executive discretion.
The Democratic caucus overwhelmingly supported the measure, with 208 members voting 'yes' and only two voting 'no'.
The Republican caucus was almost entirely opposed, with 213 members voting 'no' and only two voting 'yes'.
The sole independent member of the House voted against the resolution.