Van Hollen Floats Government Shutdown To Force End Of Iran War
Sen. Chris Van Hollen says he is willing to risk a government shutdown to pressure President Donald Trump into ending the war with Iran.
The Maryland Democrat raised the idea Thursday on MS NOW, shortly after announcing his challenge to Sen. Chuck Schumer for the top job among Senate Democrats. The proposal puts a December spending deadline at the center of a fight over who will lead Senate Democrats.
Host Jen Psaki repeatedly asked how he would lead differently than Schumer. Van Hollen pointed to Iran.
"Well, the difference is, I believe we need to be firm," he told Psaki.
READ MORE: Chris Van Hollen Challenges Schumer For Senate Democratic Leader As Bernie Sanders Backs Him
The Dec. 11 Deadline
Congress faces a Dec. 11 deadline to fund the government, weeks before the new Congress is sworn in. Van Hollen said Democrats should not wait to act.
"We shouldn't say we're going to wait until January when we have the power to do it on Dec. 11," he said.
He wants to use that deadline to deny money for the war. "Not a penny, not a penny to fuel this war," Van Hollen said.
Psaki asked whether the president would actually be "forced" to end the conflict, since Congress cannot do that on its own. Van Hollen argued the deadline would give Trump a choice over whether to keep federal agencies open, saying Trump could "completely ignore" what he described as the voters' wishes and let the government shut down.
The senator called the war illegal and argued that keeping it going would keep prices high. He said voters wanted Washington to end the war and bring down prices. His proposal puts funding for federal agencies in play as part of a fight over the administration's military policy.
'Reputational Downside'
Republican strategist Liz Mair told Fox News Digital the approach could be an "effective strategy" for Democrats looking for leverage over the Pentagon.
READ MORE: JD Vance Blames Iran War for GOP Midterm Losses: 'The Reason We Lost Is the War'
"If you do want to force the Pentagon's hand, this is the easiest way to do it, legislatively, right?" Mair said. "I think the question is how much reputational downside is there for Democrats?"
Mair also questioned whether Van Hollen could carry out the plan. Fox News Digital said neither Schumer's office nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment. She also questioned whether progressives were right to put their confidence in him.
The Fight For Schumer's Job
Van Hollen, 67, has spent 23 years in Congress and joined the Senate in 2017. Schumer, 75, has served in Congress since 1981 and now faces resistance from longtime allies and newer senators alike.
Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, a longtime Schumer ally, said this week he would withhold his support for Schumer. Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin also said she would not back him, as have several incoming senators, including Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Peggy Flanagan and Abdul El-Sayed.
"In this election, the American people called for change," Van Hollen said in announcing his bid. "It's now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership." He blamed Trump's policies and said voters also wanted a break from a status quo he said had failed working people. Van Hollen has also criticized Schumer for endorsing moderate candidates in Democratic primaries.
Asked about his first 100 days as leader, Van Hollen said restoring Medicaid funding would be a priority, along with extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and restoring food and nutrition programs, Fox News reported.