Dems Have an Opportunity to Force an End to the Iran War. Will They Take It?

What Happened

Since the U.S. conflict with Iran began on February 28, congressional Democrats and a small number of Republicans have repeatedly used the 1973 War Powers Resolution to challenge President Donald Trump's authority to continue military operations without congressional approval. In June, both the House and Senate passed a war powers resolution, but the Trump administration has ignored the vote and argued the resolution is unconstitutional. With the next Congress set to be sworn in on January 3, Democrats are considering attaching a rider to the continuing resolution that expires December 11 to prohibit the use of its funds for the Iran war, a move that could trigger a government shutdown if the bill fails. Another option under discussion is inserting a provision into the National Defense Authorization Act that would cut off authorization for the conflict, with Senate Democrats potentially using a filibuster to block the must-pass defense bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not committed to risking a shutdown, telling CNN that Democrats will 'aggressively move war powers resolutions' but deferring on appropriations strategy. Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said he is open to using the NDAA or appropriations bills to end the war but expressed doubt about Republican support or overriding a presidential veto.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The standoff over war funding and authorization tests whether the legislative branch can constrain presidential war-making in an ongoing conflict with Iran. If Democrats succeed in attaching a funding prohibition or blocking the NDAA, it could force the Trump administration to negotiate, but internal party divisions and the risk of a government shutdown complicate the effort. The outcome will shape the constitutional balance of war powers and the trajectory of U.S.-Iran hostilities.

Watch For

The December 11 expiration of the continuing resolution and whether Democrats attach an Iran war funding prohibition that risks a government shutdown; the pending National Defense Authorization Act debate and any Senate Democrat filibuster; further war powers resolutions in the lame-duck session; and the January 3 swearing-in of the next Congress, when Democrats may gain control of one or both chambers and gain greater leverage over military spending and investigations.