During a Friday appearance on America Reports, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized House Democrats who voted against a resolution declaring Iran the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, saying those lawmakers had “lost their minds.”
The remarks followed a House vote on a resolution introduced by Brian Mast. The measure passed 372 to 53 and reaffirmed the long-standing U.S. position that Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism. It cited Iranian support for groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
Fox host John Roberts noted that a similar resolution three years earlier had passed almost unanimously, reportedly 420 to 1. He contrasted that with the 53 Democratic “no” votes this time.
Leavitt argued that opposition to the resolution stemmed from hostility toward Donald Trump rather than disagreement over Iran policy. She said some Democrats were attempting to undermine Trump’s actions in the Middle East and his administration’s national security agenda.
The resolution also cited Pentagon estimates that Iranian-backed militias were responsible for the deaths of at least 603 U.S. service members in Iraq.
Separately, the United States Senate rejected another resolution that would have limited Trump’s authority to continue military action against Iran without congressional approval. That measure failed 52 to 47, largely along party lines.
Democrats said they intend to continue introducing similar war-powers measures in an effort to force lawmakers to publicly record their positions on the conflict. Some Republicans have indicated they could reconsider their support if hostilities become prolonged.
One notable vote came from John Fetterman, who sided with Republicans in opposing the Senate measure to restrict presidential war powers.
The debate reflects broader divisions in Washington over two connected issues: whether Iran should be confronted more aggressively, and how much authority a president should have to conduct military operations without new congressional authorization.
