American voters have signaled their desire to end the eight-month war against Iran by delivering a significant defeat to President Donald Trump's Republican Party in last week's congressional elections. While Trump acknowledged that public dissatisfaction with the conflict played a role in his party's losses, he maintains that the war is already a victory and intends for it to continue. Although Congress cannot unilaterally terminate the conflict, the new body of lawmakers, scheduled to be sworn in on January 3, possesses several tools to pressure the executive branch.
Fiscal policy offers one of the most immediate levers for change. The President has requested a substantial increase in the defense budget, raising it from approximately $950 billion to $1.5 trillion, with an additional $67 billion allocated specifically for the war. Democrats have indicated they will not approve such a massive expenditure in the coming year. They are also considering cutting off war funding before the new Congress is even seated, hoping to find support among anti-war Republicans and fiscal conservatives concerned about the national deficit.
Timing is critical as the current government funding bill expires on December 11. Lawmakers must pass either a full-year budget or a short-term spending plan to prevent a government shutdown just before the holiday season, which would disrupt travel and leave thousands of federal employees furloughed. House Republican leaders, including Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, have stated that their party will stand by the President. Cole told reporters this week that a Republican Congress is unlikely to send bills to a Republican President that he intends to veto, suggesting they may wait until next year for a resolution.
Once Democrats take control of both chambers, they plan to include clauses in budget bills that prohibit the use of funds for hostilities against Iran. While Trump can issue vetoes, doing so risks another government shutdown and potentially leaves troops without pay if the war is prolonged. Additionally, Congress can refuse to authorize war funding in the annual National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that has passed every year since 1961. A failure to pass this legislation would be a notable embarrassment for both political parties.
Legislative action regarding war powers is another avenue for intervention. Trump launched the conflict alongside Israel on February 28 without securing prior congressional approval. Since then, Democrats and some Republicans have voted repeatedly to end the fighting unless the President seeks formal authorization. One such resolution passed both houses but was ignored by the administration, with legal experts divided on its binding nature. Democrats are committed to continuing these efforts, with more legislation expected once they hold the majority.
Public opinion strongly supports these legislative efforts. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted this month found that 71% of Americans want Congress to pass legislation to end the conflict. This support includes 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans. Although Trump is expected to veto any measure to stop the fighting, a two-thirds majority in both chambers is required to override such a veto. This means Democrats will need Republican support to succeed, a hurdle they believe is worth attempting to send a clear message to the President and the public.
Oversight mechanisms will also play a key role in the new Congress. An earlier attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for waging the war without congressional approval failed this week, but Democrats are likely to try again next year. Hegseth is viewed as the official most responsible for the war's execution after the President. Once in charge of committees, Democrats can hold hearings and launch investigations into the administration's strategy, spending, and conduct. They will also have the power to issue subpoenas to compel testimony from key figures.
Efforts to preserve records have already begun, with individual members and committee Democrats sending letters to the State and Defense departments requesting the preservation of documents related to decision-making. If the administration refuses to cooperate, Congress can apply pressure by withholding funding for official travel budgets or, in the Senate, by declining to confirm the President's nominees.
