Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the Michigan Democrat known for sharp criticism of Israel, pushed a vote on the House floor Thursday that ended in defeat by 324 to 92, with 91 Democrats supporting it. The only Republican backing came from Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who is leaving Congress after losing his primary.

The proposal would have directed President Donald Trump to withdraw American troops from Lebanon within seven days. It failed after Democratic leaders issued a joint statement noting that no US service members are engaged in combat operations or hostilities in the country.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar added in their statement that they support the Lebanese people, government and armed forces as they seek peace and confront Hezbollah, described as a violent terrorist group hostile to the United States.

Jewish Democratic Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Dan Goldman of New York also opposed the measure. In a joint release they clarified that their votes should not be viewed as endorsement of Prime Minister Netanyahu's conduct of Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.

They noted that any American forces in Lebanon serve to assist the current Lebanese government, which merits continued US support.

House Democrats seek limits on Trump's war powers

Tlaib defended the resolution on X before the vote, arguing that Lebanese civilians cannot afford further delay. She claimed that every day of inaction results in 11 more Lebanese children killed or injured by Israeli forces in what she called a US-backed operation, urging immediate passage.

She referenced a UNICEF report drawing on Lebanese health ministry data from the prior month that recorded 77 children killed in one week amid ongoing Israeli strikes.

Opponents including Nadler and Goldman indicated they might back a revised version that would still allow cooperation with Lebanese forces against Hezbollah.

The vote coincided with Hezbollah's rejection of the latest ceasefire proposal involving Israel and Lebanon, as clashes between the Iranian-backed group and Israel have escalated recently.

On Wednesday the House approved a separate measure for the first time aimed at restricting President Trump's authority to sustain operations in Iran. Though largely symbolic, the step signaled growing discontent with the administration's approach.

US lawmakers press Rubio to stop West Bank building

On Friday 85 members of Congress signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump administration to deploy all diplomatic means to stop planned settlement construction in the E-1 area of the West Bank east of Jerusalem.

Pointing to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent directive to raze a Palestinian Bedouin village, the letter led by Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan and Jan Schakowsky warned that settlement activity had reached a decisive turning point.

The document, also signed by Nadler and Rep. Steve Cohen, stated that the opportunity for effective US diplomatic action is narrowing quickly and urged prompt intervention.