Yesterday, March 5th, the U.S. House voted narrowly to defeat a resolution to halt the war against Iran and force President Donald Trump to go to Congress for authorization.
A very small bloc of Democrats — including Juan Vargas of Chula Vista — joined almost all the Republicans to give support for the war.
The vote was 219-212 to block consideration of a bipartisan resolution that would end offensive military operations in Iran that had not been approved by Congress.
Falling almost entirely along party lines, four Democrats crossed party lines to oppose the resolution, while two Republicans broke from their party to support it, citing concerns of executive overreach and disregard for the legislative branch.
The other Democrats besides Vargas to break with their party included Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, and Greg Landsman of Ohio.
The San Diego Union-Tribune quoted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., the lead sponsor of the resolution:
“The Constitution is clear: Our Constitution provides Congress initiatory powers of war.”
Massie cosponsored the measure with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Santa Clara, and noted that the War Powers Resolution of1973 allows the president to go around Congress and exercise unilateral authority to use force only if there has been a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization or a national emergency created by an attack on the United States.
“None of those conditions exist today,” Massie said.
After a series of classified briefings led by senior Trump administration officials, Democrats said the case had not been made that the president had needed to act unilaterally.
News source: San Diego Union-Tribune, March 6, 2026
Boo!
Unacceptable!
Hopefully that’s a career ending vote–it’s inexcusable.
Look how much money Israel gave Vargas; $949.493. Almost a million bucks buys loyalty, doesn’t it?
Then we should look up how much Landsman, Cuellar, and Golden raked in from the Israeli Zionists. $1,733, 305., and $3,329,485. The top bribe…a-HEM, oops, excuse me, ‘campaign donations’ goes to Golden at $3, 449, 465. I guess Vargas wants to see the same millions in his campaign accounts…be no problem now I’m guessing.
Who are the ones that REALLY want this war? Who benefits from the assassinations? Who becomes the Hegemon in this area? Who already has at least a hundred nuclear bombs ready to use and won’t sign the non-proliferation treaty? It sure isn’t Iran, who signed a treaty with Obama and ended their attempts at nuclear weaponry. Oh wait, who yanked the rug out from under that treaty?
Trump did.
The US gains nothing from this war…except US politicians for continued AIPAC donations that go to nearly all the Democrats, and all Republicans. Getting the picture now?
sealintheSelkirks
Good post. That’s what I was wondering — was Vargas paid off? Obviously! AIPAC’s insane legal bribery scheme is obscene. And our politicians are, to put it mildly, bought very cheaply. Allegiance to a foreign power while serving in office? That sounds a lot like treason. The US has attacked Iran because Israel has been aching to get the US to attack Iran for DECADES. It’s really time to clean house.
That is unforgivable to vote for another needless war!!! Why??!! A Democrat from CA??!! Really???Trump has gone rogue and murdering civilians to support Israel is UNACCEPTABLE!!!
Thank you Christine. I totally agree with you.
I find it so odd there had been no comment from him. Not even a “no comment”. Have any media outlets tried to get one?
Owning legislators is legal in this fine country (thanks SCOTUS)
Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), representing areas including Chula Vista, has accepted contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and was endorsed by them in 2024
. Career data indicates he has received $155,802 from AIPAC ($5,000 via PAC, $150,802 from individuals). Total pro-Israel lobby contributions exceed $325,000
You’re right that Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision enabled the obscene public policy prostitution of today.
However, the Dems have betrayed us all because they have made no effort to craft any counteractive legislation since the 2010 decision, despite Nancy Pelosi having the gavel for a number of those years. Ironically (bitterly), it has been extremely lucrative and profitable for the former Speaker to disembowel any discernible respect for the “appearance of impropriety,” to cash in time and time again on information gleaned from her classified briefings. Nancy is no longer a rich Representative, she’s become a wealthy Representative and now has her own index fund.
Thanks, Frank. for showing us the money. That’s all we need to know about Juan Vargas. , and I hope that jay coffman is right. Anyone who does not oppose the fascist war Trump and Bibi are waging is a collaborator, and those who vote to support it are, themselves, committing crimes against humanity. I might add that they are using our money to do it.
Stop this war! Period.
I am extremely disappointed in Rep. Vargas. As someone who shares with Mr. Vargas a Jusuit education and Jesuitical principles, I would have thought his response to this awful war would have been more consistent with the statements regarding the war made by Pope Leo, not with JD Vance and Pete Hegseth. Shame on you, Juan Vargas.
How incredible that Juan Vargas would break ranks with Democrats on an Israeli-instigated war with Iran in the year 2026. I am shocked and saddened. I am sure there are many members of the military among his constituents. I hope they and many other voters will remember this betrayal at the next election.
Let’s remember that late Representative Bob Filner held that seat in Congress for many years. Credit to him: he would never have taken AIPAC money and supported Trump’s nightmare that is destabilizing the entire Middle East.
Disgusting! We need to watch him more carefully! It might be time……