WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives voted against a war powers resolution concerning Lebanon on Tuesday with 189 votes in favor and 235 in opposition. The resolution, introduced by Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, would have directed the president to remove U.S. armed forces from any hostilities in Lebanon within seven days of the measure's adoption.

During floor debate, Tlaib stated the vote was about "immediately ending all U.S. participation in the Israeli government's violent assault against the people of Lebanon." She also accused the Israeli government of carrying out "ethnic cleansing and territory expansion" through its bombing campaign in southern Lebanon. The resolution stipulated that it would not prevent or limit security cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces or the protection of diplomatic facilities.

Representative Gregory Meeks noted that the updated version "corrected the flaws" of an earlier measure, which failed earlier in the month. He added, "It will not infringe upon America's national security interests in Lebanon, while ensuring we stay out of another forever war that is not in our national interest." Meeks also said, "I will state for the record that, to my knowledge, United States forces are not currently engaged in any active hostilities in Lebanon with the Israeli military. Nonetheless, this resolution ensures that does not change without congressional authorization."

Representative Brian Mast described the updated measure as "not quite as ridiculous this time as it was the last time ... but still significantly ridiculous." Mast called the resolution "a win for terrorists." He said, "Hezbollah is the one holdout that is standing in the way of peace between Israel and Lebanon." Mast added, "The Lebanese government wants the fighting to stop. Israel wants the fighting to stop. Who is it that wants the fighting to continue? That would be the one entity that is supported by this resolution, and that's Hezbollah."

An agreement was signed last week between the Israeli and Lebanese governments to end fighting in southern Lebanon. The agreement links Israel's removal of forces from southern Lebanon with Hezbollah's disarmament; Hezbollah has refused to give up its weapons.