WASHINGTON — Only one New Jersey representative crossed party lines Thursday when the U.S. House voted to constrain President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran without congressional approval.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer was one of only eight Democrats to vote against the resolution ending U.S. military attacks against Iran without congressional approval or in case of an “imminent armed attack.”

The vote was 224-194, with three Republicans and one Republican-turned-independent voting yes.

The measure, which still needs to pass the Senate, was a response to Trump’s order to kill top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Iran responded by firing missiles at Iraqi military bases housing American troops.

Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., offered three reasons for his no vote.

“First, I am concerned that this resolution, as it is written, could limit our nation’s ability to confront, thwart, and respond to grave and potentially unforeseen threats in the region,” Gottheimer said. “Second, I am concerned that this resolution sends conflicting signals to Iran and to its terrorist proxies. Third, this non-binding resolution simply mirrors existing law.”

This time around, newly minted Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew was in sync with most of his colleagues. He switched parties after opposing Trump’s impeachment, and cited a similar rationale in voting against the Iran resolution: It won’t accomplish anything.

“This resolution does not have the force of law and will never end up on the president’s desk,” said Van Drew, R-2nd Dist. "Our defense strategy deserves more thought than useless posturing legislation.”

The Trump administration opposed the resolution, saying it “could undermine the ability of the United States to protect American citizens whom Iran continues to seek to harm.”

Here’s how New Jersey’s House members voted:

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., Yes

President Trump's reckless use of force has made America less safe.



That’s why my House colleagues & I passed a War Powers Resolution.



We need a clear strategy to avoid another endless war & keep Americans safe. #NoWarWithIran — Donald Norcross (@DonaldNorcross) January 9, 2020

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., No

“We absolutely do not want war with Iran, but they continue to be a persistent threat to the United States and Middle Eastern stability," Van Drew said. “The actions taken to kill the terrorist General Soleimani were decisions that needed to be taken seriously, rapidly, and with laser accuracy.”

Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., Yes

“There is a reason why our Founding Fathers gave Congress the sole responsibility to declare war," Kim said. “These decisions impact the men and women serving at our Joint Base, their families and our community. The American people should have a voice in these debates; they deserve to be heard.”

Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., No

“The action by President Trump was justified, proportionate and above all necessary to protect American lives,” Smith said. “That said, it is astonishing that the resolution under consideration by the House today has absolutely no legal power, is non-binding — and by design can neither be signed nor vetoed by the president.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist. No

“To protect Americans, the commander-in-chief, whether Democrat or Republican, must have the tools and capability to respond to exigent threats, whenever they rear their ugly head,” Gottheimer said. “That said, no president has the authority to go to war in Iran, or engage in long-term hostilities, without congressional approval.”

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., Yes

The President escalated conflict with Iran, using force that only Congress can authorize under the Constitution. He has ignored Congress’s constitutional authority and put the safety of our service members at risk in the process. — Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) January 9, 2020

Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist., Yes

“I support this resolution because passing it will protect us against going to war with a tweet,” Malinowski said. "But it also ensures that if we do go to war, which we may have to at some point, we will do so with the American people united not divided, as the framers intended and our national interest demands.”

Rep. Albio Sires, D-8th Dist., Yes

“The hostilities between the U.S. and Iran over the past few days have reinforced the need to ensure that any further military action is done in consultation with Congress,” Sires said. "Any decision to introduce U.S. troops to new conflict or hostilities must be made collectively amongst our elected leaders, not solely at the impulse of the executive branch.”

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist., Yes

“Our generations-long failure to constrain the imperial executive has created a constitutional asymmetry, opening the door for America to be dragged into repeated wars,” Pascrell said. "The House is reasserting the proper constitutional balance and seeking to prevent another damned war.

Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-10th Dist., Yes

“This bill gives Congress back the types of checks and balances written in the Constitution," Payne said. "President Trump has shown no respect for Congress since he was elected. His actions with Iran prove he needs congressional oversight to curb his reckless decisions, keep us out of war, and protect American lives.”

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th Dist., Yes

“With this war powers resolution, we are ensuring that this president — or any future president — does not enter into another war in the Middle East without a clear strategy and congressional approval as required by the Constitution,” Sherrill said.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., Yes

The reckless, arrogant, and ignorant decisions we've seen in recent days endangers American military members, diplomats and citizens abroad.

I'm supporting the War Powers Resolution to send a message that my constituents have sent me: "No War With Iran" #nowarwithiran pic.twitter.com/zM5WsmMiOm — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) January 9, 2020

This is not the first time the House has gone on record as demanding congressional approval to launch an attack on Iran.

Last July, three members of the state’s delegation — Sherrill, a Navy veteran; Malinowski, an assistant secretary of state; and Kim, a former adviser to Gens. David Petraeus and John Allen in Afghanistan — helped win passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act blocking Trump from attacking Iran without congressional approval.

The provision was left out of the final defense policy bill after Senate Republicans balked.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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