Four Senate Democrats Threaten To Block Government Funding Over Iran War
Democrats spent the midterm campaign promising to focus on affordability. Before they even take power, four senators are already threatening to oppose government funding over President Donald Trump's war with Iran. Democratic leaders repeatedly emphasized affordability, housing, health care and other kitchen-table issues on the campaign trail.
Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland joined Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, in issuing the warning Thursday.
The four said they would oppose any spending package containing what they describe as unrestricted funding for continued military operations against Iran.
"We will not vote for a government funding package that provides a blank check for President Trump's illegal and unauthorized war in Iran," the senators said in a joint statement.
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'Congress, Not The President'
The lawmakers argued that Congress should not keep paying for military operations it has not explicitly authorized.
"The Constitution is clear: Congress, not the President, has the power to declare war," they said.
Sanders has repeatedly pushed Congress to limit Trump's ability to continue military operations without congressional approval. Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs after her helicopter was attacked in 2004, has also sharply criticized the administration's handling of the conflict.
Van Hollen's name on the statement stands out. He announced Thursday that he is challenging Chuck Schumer for the top Senate Democratic leadership post, arguing the party needs new leadership after the midterms.
Another Funding Fight Ahead
The threat raises the possibility that the Iran conflict could become a major obstacle in Washington's next government funding battle. Congress only recently emerged from a lengthy shutdown fight, and lawmakers will again need a deal to keep federal agencies running.
Because major spending bills generally need 60 votes to clear a Senate filibuster, Democratic votes could still be needed to move a funding agreement forward. Republicans currently control both chambers, and Democrats are preparing to take over the House on Jan. 3 after their midterm victories.
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The statement does not mean a shutdown is inevitable. Congress could separate Iran-related military funding from broader spending legislation, negotiate limits on the money or strike another compromise before the deadline.
Republicans, meanwhile, could try to force Democrats to choose between opposing Iran funding and voting against bills that pay for the rest of the federal government. The threat adds another contentious issue to funding talks that were already expected to be difficult.
Trump: 'We Don't Need A Deal'
Trump has defended the Iran campaign as necessary to protect American interests, keep Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and weaken Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
"When this conflict is over, and it will be soon, the entire world will be a much safer and better place," Trump said during Veterans Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery.
He has since signaled he sees little reason to make concessions. "We don't need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed," Trump wrote Thursday.
Schumer has summed up the Democratic agenda as costs, competence and corruption. The senators' warning shows that war powers could become just as big a fight once the new Congress is seated in January. Before Democrats even take power, some lawmakers are signaling that foreign policy and presidential war powers will compete with the economic promises that won them their new majority.