Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Thursday that House lawmakers who backed a nonbinding war powers resolution on Iran handed the regime additional leverage while President Donald Trump is trying to negotiate an end to hostilities.

During an appearance on "National Report," Donalds said the measure undermines U.S. negotiating power at a time when active military operations have ceased and diplomatic talks are underway.

"I disagree with them," he said of the Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the resolution. "The reason why is that we're not even engaged in kinetic activity right now."

The House approved the measure with support from all Democrats and four Republicans: Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich.; Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio; Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.; and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

Donalds argued the vote sends the wrong message while the commander in chief is working toward a diplomatic resolution with Tehran.

"The president has been trying to find a diplomatic solution to bring this to an end," he said. "When you do something like this — when you know the commander in chief is at the negotiating table — all you're doing is providing more leverage to the Iranian regime."

"Why would you do that?" Donalds added.

The resolution would make more sense if U.S. forces were currently engaged in combat operations, said Donald.

"It would be something very different if we had troops on the ground, and we were engaged in active kinetic warfare," he said. "We are not right now."

Instead, Donalds noted that a fragile ceasefire remains in place and negotiations continue.

"There is a tentative ceasefire in place," he said. "They are at the negotiating table."

According to Donalds, congressional efforts that limit the president's flexibility during negotiations weaken the U.S. position and make it more difficult to secure a favorable outcome.

"It doesn't help the negotiations. It doesn't improve the leverage of the United States in those negotiations," he said. "In my view, it undermines us."

Donalds acknowledged that many lawmakers are reluctant to see the nation drawn into another conflict but said that concern does not justify undercutting ongoing diplomatic efforts.

"You don't undermine the commander in chief when he's trying to negotiate a settlement to end hostilities," Donalds said.

He added that Democrats were seeking a political victory through the resolution, calling it a move that comes "to the detriment of the United States."

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