More than 50 House Democrats voted against a resolution declaring the Islamic Republic of Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, despite broad bipartisan support for the measure.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 372–53. Two Democrats voted present.
While several progressive lawmakers were widely expected to oppose the measure — including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) — the total number of Democrats voting against the resolution drew attention.
The 53 Democrats who voted “no” included:
Donald S. Beyer Jr.
Suzanne Bonamici
André Carson
Greg Casar
Joaquin Castro
Yvette D. Clarke
Steve Cohen
Danny K. Davis
Maxine Dexter
Lloyd Doggett
Dwight Evans
Lizzie Fletcher
Valerie Foushee
Maxwell Alejandro Frost
Robert Garcia
Jesús “Chuy” García
Al Green
Raúl M. Grijalva
Val Hoyle
Jared Huffman
Sara Jacobs
Pramila Jayapal
Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr.
Robin Kelly
Ro Khanna
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Summer Lee
Sarah McBride
Morgan McGarvey
James P. McGovern
LaMonica McIver
Christian D. Menefee
Robert Jacobsen “Rob” Menendez Jr.
Gwen Moore
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Ilhan Omar
Chellie Pingree
Mark Pocan
Ayanna Pressley
Delia Ramirez
Emily Randall
Luz Rivas
Linda T. Sánchez
Janice D. “Jan” Schakowsky
Lateefah Simon
Mark Takano
Rashida Tlaib
Lori Trahan
Lauren Underwood
Nydia M. Velázquez
Maxine Waters
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Nikema Williams
The resolution itself did not reference recent U.S. strikes against Iran ordered by President Donald Trump. Instead, it focused on reaffirming longstanding U.S. policy regarding the Iranian regime.
The measure states that Iran “remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism” and continues to provide financial and military support to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
The resolution also noted that the Iranian regime “poses a direct and persistent threat to the United States and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American citizens.”
According to Pentagon figures cited in the resolution, Iranian-backed proxy militias were responsible for the deaths of at least 603 U.S. service members during the Iraq War, accounting for roughly one in six American combat fatalities.
The measure further referenced warnings from International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, who has said Iran has amassed a significant stockpile of enriched uranium and has restricted access to undeclared nuclear sites associated with what he described as a “big, ambitious nuclear weapons program.”
The resolution ultimately declares that it remains the policy of the United States that Iran continues to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism.
Some Democrats who voted against the measure argued the resolution was unnecessary or politically motivated.
Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA) said in a Facebook post that the resolution contained “inaccuracies” and was intended to justify military action against Iran.
“Republicans in Congress are not only surrendering their constitutional duties — they are also playing politics with a resolution reaffirming Iran as a leading state sponsor of terrorism,” Simon wrote.
She added that the designation already exists under current U.S. policy and argued the measure could provide additional justification for a broader conflict.
“I have been clear about my opposition to the brutal and devastating actions of the Iranian regime against those protesting for freedom,” Simon said. “This resolution does nothing to advance their freedom and instead puts Congress on record as giving the administration further pretext for a war that should not have been started in the first place.”
