The U.S. House on March 5 approved a nonbinding measure reaffirming that Iran remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, passing 372–53 with two members voting “present.” All voting Republicans supported the resolution, while Democrats split, with 53 voting no, as the vote unfolded amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions during President Donald Trump’s administration.
In January 2023, the House adopted a separate, broadly bipartisan Iran-focused resolution by a vote of 420–1, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) casting the lone “no” vote, according to an Associated Press report at the time.
On March 5, the House voted on H.Res. 1099, a nonbinding resolution “reaffirming Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism.” The measure passed 372–53, with two members voting “present” and three not voting, according to the House Republican Cloakroom and other contemporaneous reporting.
The vote exposed a partisan split. Republicans backed the measure unanimously, with 215 voting in favor. Democrats divided, with 157 voting yes, 53 voting no, and two voting present, according to the published vote breakdown.
Among the Democrats listed as voting against the resolution were Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Pramila Jayapal of Washington, along with others including Donald Beyer of Virginia, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, and Maxine Waters of California.
After the vote, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt underscored that U.S. administrations of both parties have long described Iran as the world’s leading or largest state sponsor of terrorism.
Republican lawmakers criticized Democrats who opposed the measure. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) argued that the resolution was similar to earlier House actions and suggested the shift reflected opposition to the current president rather than disagreement about Iran’s role. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) also accused Democrats voting no of minimizing Iran’s conduct.
Some Democrats who opposed H.Res. 1099 described it as political messaging tied to the administration’s actions. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) said in a social media post that she voted against the resolution because she believed it contained inaccuracies and was intended to justify the president’s actions.
The House’s vote reaffirmed Congress’s support for the longstanding U.S. position labeling Iran a state sponsor of terrorism—a designation first applied by the United States in 1984.
