Despite talks of ceasefires, conflict in the Middle East persists. A New Jersey congressman played a leading role in blocking an effort led by Democrats to rein in President Trump’s military actions against Iran. And he did so without saying a word.
Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican who has represented New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District since 1981, was serving as the pro forma speaker during Thursday’s House session when Democrats attempted to pass a war powers resolution via unanimous consent.
Using his authority, Smith declined to recognize the Democrats seeking to bring the measure to the floor for debate, effectively killing the effort before it even began.
The resolution, introduced by New York Rep. Greg Meeks, would have curbed Trump’s ability to continue military operations against Iran without congressional authorization. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and top Democrats in both chambers vowed to force the issue during the session, even as Congress remained in recess.
Under unanimous consent rules, a single objection is enough to stop a measure in its tracks—or in this case, a presiding officer refusing to recognize members. Now, Democrats will need to wait until Congress returns next week to pursue a formal vote, leaving the door open for further military action in the interim.
The Man at the Gavel
Smith’s role in Thursday’s proceedings is notable for a few reasons.
At 44 years in office, he is tied for the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives—a distinction that reflects how firmly New Jersey’s 4th District, which stretches across Monmouth and Ocean Counties, has remained in Republican hands.
Smith has built a four-decade reputation as a vocal advocate for human rights abroad. That record makes his decision to block a resolution limiting presidential war powers—on a conflict polling negatively with the American public—a notable one.
What Comes Next
Despite the failed resolution, Democrats are not backing down. At least not yet. Jeffries has called on Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately reconvene the House to hold a formal vote on the war powers resolution, describing Trump’s military posture toward Iran as a “reckless war of choice.”
Whether enough Republicans would join Democrats in a formal vote remains uncertain. Several war powers resolutions have failed in recent months after a handful of Democrats—none from New Jersey—crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans. But as polling continues to trickle in, some votes could change—especially among Republicans in swing districts.
For now, the push is on pause. And a New Jersey congressman—one who has been in office longer than many of his colleagues have been alive—is the reason why.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.