House Republican leadership abruptly canceled a vote on a resolution to limit President Trump’s war powers in Iran, multiple outlets report.

“Republicans were on the verge of losing the vote due to absences,” sources stated. The decision to shelve the war powers resolution came after Republicans lost control of the floor during an earlier unrelated vote, with several members defecting and others absent. As House chamber descended into chaos, leaders wary of risking another public defeat abruptly scrapped the Iran war measure.

The move follows a similar resolution’s advancement in the Senate, where it passed 50-47 after three Republicans—Senators John Cornyn of Texas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina—did not vote. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican who previously sided with Democrats on such resolutions, stated: “They probably did it because they didn’t have the votes.” He added: “The next time they bring it, it’s passing.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar condemned the cancellation in a joint statement. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), who sponsored the legislation, said the vote is now expected to take place in early June after the chamber returns from its Memorial Day recess. Meeks previously noted concerns that Speaker Mike Johnson had been stalling the measure, citing Republican colleagues’ growing pressure regarding rising costs of food and gas.

Earlier this week, Trump told reporters he believed public support for U.S. military action against Iran remained strong: “Look, everyone tells me it’s unpopular, but I think it’s very popular when you hear that it’s having to do with nuclear weapons, weapons that could take out Los Angeles, could take out major cities very quick.”