53 House Democrats Refuse To Label Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’
A large majority in the U.S. House of Representatives voted this week to reaffirm a long-standing American position that the Islamic Republic of Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. But more than fifty Democrats broke with that consensus, sparking renewed debate over national security and the Democratic Party’s increasingly divided stance on confronting hostile regimes.
The nonbinding resolution, introduced by Florida Republican Brian Mast, passed the House on Thursday by a decisive 372–53 vote. All of the dissenting votes came from Democrats, while two additional Democratic members voted “present.”
Among those opposing the measure were members of the progressive bloc known as “the Squad,” including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, according to reporting from Fox News.
Resolution Highlights Iran’s Role in Global Terrorism
The resolution reiterates the U.S. government’s longstanding assessment that the Iranian regime plays a central role in funding and directing terrorist groups throughout the Middle East.
Specifically, the measure states that the Islamic Republic of Iran “remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and provides substantial financial and military support to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.”
The resolution also warns that Tehran poses a continuing and direct threat to American lives and national security.
According to the text, Iran “poses a direct and persistent threat to the United States and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American citizens,” citing Pentagon findings that “Iranian-backed proxy militias are responsible for the deaths of at least 603 U.S. service members in Iraq — roughly one in every six American combat fatalities.”
Additionally, the measure points to growing nuclear concerns. It notes that “according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafeal Grossi, Iran has amassed a large stockpile of enriched uranium and continues to block access to undeclared sites in Iran affiliated with their ‘big, ambitious nuclear weapons program.’”
The resolution ultimately concludes: “That the House of Representatives declares it is the policy of the United States… that Iran continues to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism.”
Democratic Critics Push Back
Several Democrats who voted against the resolution defended their decision by arguing the measure was politically motivated and tied to the foreign policy of President Donald J. Trump, who is currently serving his second term.
California Democratic Rep. Lateefah Simon argued that the resolution was crafted to justify the administration’s actions toward Iran.
Simon claimed the resolution “contains inaccuracies and is designed to justify the President’s actions in 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 on Facebook. “That is already U.S. policy.”
She added further criticism of the measure’s implications.
“I have been clear about my opposition to the brutal and devastating actions of the Iranian regime against those protesting for freedom,” Simon continued. “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.”
Republicans Emphasize Security Threat
Supporters of the resolution argue that reaffirming the U.S. position is essential to confronting a regime that continues to threaten American forces and allies.
North Dakota Republican Rep. Julie Fedorchak, who voted in favor of the measure, said recent intelligence briefings underscored the seriousness of the threat.
“This week’s bipartisan classified briefing with Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, John Ratcliffe, and General Dan Caine underscored the significance of the threat we face from an Iran intent on developing nuclear weapons behind a curtain of impenetrable ballistic weapons,” she told Fox in a statement.
“Standing with our allies and confronting state-sponsored terrorism is essential to protecting Americans and advancing stability around the world,” she added. “This resolution sends a strong message that we will not ignore or excuse the regime’s extremist actions.”
Some Democrats Still Supported the Resolution
Despite the controversy, a significant number of Democrats did vote in favor of the measure.
Washington Democrat Adam Smith supported the resolution while distancing himself from broader military action against Iran.
“I agree with the principal assertion of this resolution that Iran is a bad actor.
“Iran’s malign and destabilizing actions in the region and treatment of its own citizens should be denounced. I have never contested this. What I do contest is that going to war is the reasonable response to this assertion,” he said in a statement.
“I support this resolution. I do not support the president’s war of choice with Iran.”
The vote ultimately highlights deep divisions within the Democratic Party and ongoing debates in Washington about how forcefully the United States should confront hostile regimes that threaten global stability and American lives.
The Democrats who voted no:
- 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
- Adelita 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.