How Democrats could stop Trump’s war in Iran with the ‘power of the purse’

The Democrats' midterm victory gives them leverage to end Trump's Iran war, primarily through cutting off funding via the power of the purse. Options include legislation, investigations, and budget clauses, but each carries political risks. Trump acknowledged the war cost Republicans the election, while Vice President Vance called for a change in US-Israel relations.

The Democrats' sweeping victory in the US midterm elections puts them in a stronger position to interfere with President Donald Trump's agenda, including his deeply unpopular and costly war against Iran. As president, Trump can veto any legislation aimed at ending the war, but Democrats have another powerful card: cutting off funding. The article outlines three main options for Democrats. The first is legislation, such as a binding law requiring a two-thirds majority to override a veto. The second is congressional investigations and possible impeachment of officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though these are protracted and unlikely to end the war swiftly. The third and most immediate option is using the constitutional power of the purse to prohibit funds for hostilities against Iran in the defense budget, which Trump could veto but at the risk of blocking military pay. This approach carries political risk, as seen in 2007 when Democrats backed down over backlash. Trump acknowledged the Iran war played a role in the Republican defeat but defended it. Vice President JD Vance bluntly declared the war was the reason for the loss and called for a change in US-Israel relations. The article notes the war has cost nearly $50 billion with few achievements and may end the unipolar global order.