In a recent turn of events in Washington, Rep. Thomas Massie has declared that he will not push forward with his war-powers measure aimed at curtailing U.S. involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, contingent upon the success of a newly announced cease-fire. The cease-fire, orchestrated by President Donald Trump, has temporarily eased tensions, leading to strategic political responses.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Kentucky Republican expressed his conditional stance. "I talked to the speaker on the floor just now and told him we wouldn’t push it if the cease-fire holds, so it’s really in their court,” Massie stated, indicating a wait-and-see approach to the unfolding international situation.

The proposed legislative measure, which Massie spearheads as the sole Republican sponsor, has gained considerable traction among Democrats, signaling a rare bipartisan effort in a sharply divided Congress. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the leading Democrat supporting the bill, emphasized on X, a social media platform, that the initiative is not about political gains but about "reasserting the role of Congress & prevent wars of choice with disastrous consequences."

Speaker Mike Johnson, however, voiced a different perspective, labeling the measure as “moot” in light of the cease-fire's announcement and doubting its passage. Johnson also openly criticized Massie's political alignment, urging him to align more closely with Republican interests.

Despite the political pressure, Massie has shown resilience, especially in the face of criticism from President Trump himself. Following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump targeted Massie for his disapproval of U.S. actions in the conflict. The president even hinted at supporting a primary challenger against him. Unfazed, Massie revealed a significant spike in campaign donations, suggesting confidence in his standing. “I’ve raised $120,000 in the last 24 hours,” he noted, betting on Trump's reluctance to back a losing battle.

As the international community watches the cease-fire's progress, the political drama in Washington points to deeper questions about congressional authority in military engagements and the ongoing struggle between personal convictions and party loyalty within U.S. politics.

*Meredith Lee Hill and Calen Razor contributed to this report.*