Senate – War Watch

Democratic Party | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Republican Party | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Emergency Powers (US) | War Powers Act (1973)

How the War Powers Act Could Pressure Trump to End the Iran War
ByRobert Jimison April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

A decades-old law allows the president to wage war without congressional approval for 60 days, then limits his options for continuing. President Trump may seek to get around it.

Read More How the War Powers Act Could Pressure Trump to End the Iran War
Bessent, Scott | Exchange Stabilization Fund (United States Treasury) | Federal Reserve System | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Senate | Treasury Department | United Arab Emirates | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Van Hollen, Christopher Jr

Bessent Backs Financial Support for Oil-Rich U.A.E.
ByAlan Rappeport April 22, 2026

The Treasury secretary said that currency swap line would benefit both the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Read More Bessent Backs Financial Support for Oil-Rich U.A.E.
Civilian Casualties | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Van Hollen, Christopher Jr | Warren, Elizabeth

Democratic Senators Fault Hegseth’s Leadership on Iran
ByJohn Ismay April 20, 2026

In a letter, the 11 senators questioned the defense secretary’s decision to gut programs intended to protect civilians and said his orders endangered U.S. troops.

Read More Democratic Senators Fault Hegseth’s Leadership on Iran
Defense Department | Democratic Party | Hegseth, Pete | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Republican Party | Senate | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | War and Emergency Powers (US) | War Powers Act (1973)

House Again Thwarts Challenge to Trump’s Authority to Continue Iran War
ByRobert Jimison and Megan Mineiro April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

The G.O.P. narrowly blocked a Democratic war powers resolution, but a senior Republican suggested that backing for the conflict is not open-ended and could wane as a statutory deadline approaches in weeks.

Read More House Again Thwarts Challenge to Trump’s Authority to Continue Iran War
Arms trade | Democratic Party | Foreign Aid | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Sanders, Bernard | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Senate Blocks Bid to Cancel Arms Sales to Israel as Iran War Deepens Democratic Divide
ByMegan Mineiro April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Concerns over the Iran war led several Democratic senators who had rejected past bids to curb weapons transfers to Israel to vote to block the sale of bulldozers and bombs.

Read More Senate Blocks Bid to Cancel Arms Sales to Israel as Iran War Deepens Democratic Divide
Democratic Party | Duckworth, L Tammy | Fetterman, John (1969- ) | Hagerty, William F | Hawley, Josh D (1979- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Law and Legislation | Paul, Rand | Republican Party | Rounds, Mike | Schumer, Charles E | Senate | Trump, Donald J | Tuberville, Tommy | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Senate Republicans Again Block Bid to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
ByRobert Jimison and Megan Mineiro April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

For the fourth time since the war began, G.O.P. senators successfully fended off an effort to constrain the president. But there were signs of growing unease among Republicans.

Read More Senate Republicans Again Block Bid to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
Democratic Party | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Johnson, Mike (1972- ) | Republican Party | Senate | Thune, John R | Trump, Donald J | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Emergency Powers (US)

As Trump Swings on Iran War, Republican Leaders in Congress Are Largely Silent
ByRobert Jimison April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

In a week in which President Trump has veered from threatening to wipe out Iranian civilization to declaring a cease-fire, Congress is out of session and lawmakers with the power to declare war are mostly in the dark.

Read More As Trump Swings on Iran War, Republican Leaders in Congress Are Largely Silent
Castro, Joaquin (1974- ) | Democratic Party | House of Representatives | Impeachment | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Jeffries, Hakeem | Schumer, Charles E | Senate | Threats and Threatening Messages | Trump, Donald J | Twenty-Fifth Amendment (US Constitution) | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts | War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

Democrats Condemn Trump’s Iran Threats as Some Call for His Removal
ByMegan Mineiro and Michael Gold April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

More than 70 Democratic lawmakers, questioning his mental fitness, called for the president’s removal from office through impeachment or the 25th Amendment.

Read More Democrats Condemn Trump’s Iran Threats as Some Call for His Removal
House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Johnson, Mike (1972- ) | Johnson, Ron (1955- ) | Republican Party | Senate | Trump, Donald J | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Some Republicans Vent Concern as Party Backs Trump’s Iran Threat
ByRobert Jimison April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Senator Ron Johnson said he hoped President Trump was making empty threats, but most in the G.O.P. cheered his warning that Iran’s “whole civilization” would be wiped out.

Read More Some Republicans Vent Concern as Party Backs Trump’s Iran Threat
Defense Department | Democratic Party | Hegseth, Pete | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Republican Party | Senate | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Forgoing Oversight of Iran War, G.O.P. Calls Hegseth to Testify on Budget
ByMegan Mineiro March 31, 2026April 1, 2026

After resisting calls for public hearings for weeks, House Republicans have called the secretary of defense to testify at a budget hearing in late April for the first time since the attacks on Iran began.

Read More Forgoing Oversight of Iran War, G.O.P. Calls Hegseth to Testify on Budget