Renewed war with Iran threatens to derail congressional agenda

The faltering of President Trump’s peace deal with Iran throws a wrench into Congress’s agenda as Republican leaders’ plans to pass a defense authorization bill and an emergency supplemental defense spending package face new hurdles amid threats of new U.S. strikes on Iran.

Trump was able to quell growing Republican defections over the war after holding a heated meeting with GOP senators before the July 4 recess but he could see more pushback from Republican lawmakers if he walks away from the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran.

Democrats are discussing forcing additional votes on Iran war powers resolutions to direct Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran but haven’t yet mapped out their plan for the July work period.

A Democratic strategist said the months leading up to the general election will be consumed by partisan battles in Congress over the war, which polls show is highly unpopular with voters.

“The rest of the year is going to be spent on these issues that unite the Democratic Party and divide the Republican Party. It’s going to make John Thune’s life very difficult,” the source said, referring to the Senate majority leader from South Dakota.

Votes to curtail Trump’s power as commander-in-chief could pick up more Republican support,  since some GOP senators earlier this year said they voted against resolutions to end the war because Trump and Iran had announced a ceasefire.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a conservative skeptic of U.S. military entanglements abroad, for example, has consistently voted against Iran war powers resolutions and has cited Trump’s efforts to reach a peace deal with Iran as a reason not to vote with Democrats on the matter.

At the same time, Hawley and other Republicans want to see a quick end to the conflict, which has driven up gas prices by $1.50 since the war began in late February. Fuel prices have come down some since Trump reached a tentative peace deal with Iran.

Trump on Wednesday declared the ceasefire “over” and the U.S. Central Command announced a few hours........

© The Hill