Congressional Shift: $47.1 Billion Iran War Budget Faces Democratic Scrutiny
New Democratic leadership in Congress plans to use appropriations power to limit funds for the ongoing conflict with Iran, potentially altering the war's trajectory before the 2026 session ends.
By Natalie Cooper ·
Democrats will control both chambers of Congress starting in January 2027, giving them direct authority over federal spending. This shift places the $47.1 billion cost of the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran under immediate legislative review. The Pentagon reported these figures to The Associated Press in mid-October, marking the highest expenditure for the conflict to date.
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and staff writer at The Atlantic, outlined the specific mechanisms Congress can use to influence the war. She stated that while the President retains veto power, the appropriations committees hold the leverage to restrict funds for specific military operations. "You could see them trying to use the power of the purse, the appropriations committees, to end the war or to influence politics," Applebaum said. She expects this pressure to change the war's trajectory sooner or later.
Timing complicates the legislative strategy. Trita Parsi, an Iran expert at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, noted that some supporters of the war may view the two months before the new Congress convenes as a final window to escalate the conflict. Iran remains wary of renewed attacks, creating a narrow period where the current administration might push for further military action before losing budgetary control.
Voter sentiment drove the electoral change. A Voter Poll conducted by SSRS for The Associated Press found that 63% of respondents said the war in Iran was the wrong decision. Another 51% felt U.S. support for Israel had been too strong. For 74% of voters, the war was a major factor in their decision, though the economy outweighed it as a priority for 89%.
Congressional investigations will likely target the decision-making process behind the war. Applebaum expects lawmakers to examine potential corruption involving people close to the administration. She specifically raised questions about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s competence and the advice President Trump received during the conflict. These inquiries aim to bring internal deliberations into public view, even if they do not directly reverse policy.
The new leadership also faces a complex landscape regarding Ukraine. Support for Ukraine has crossed party lines, but the Trump administration’s approach to Russia has raised questions among lawmakers. Applebaum anticipates that the bipartisan coalition for Ukraine will become more active under Democratic control. She expects legislation to require the President to reimpose sanctions on Russia, a move that would need enough support to override a veto.
Specific disputes over satellite communications will also draw scrutiny. In October, the Pentagon’s inspector general declined a bipartisan request to investigate slowdowns to Starlink and Starshield services. Ukrainian officials claimed these disruptions hampered their ability to intercept Russian drones. The Trump administration and SpaceX provided conflicting accounts of who was responsible for the delays.
Applebaum noted that Congress cannot force the President to make changes, but it can offer a different narrative about American foreign policy. She emphasized that Democratic leaders need to move quickly to set priorities. The investigations into the Iran war and Ukraine negotiations will likely become more open, forming a central part of the legislative agenda in the coming session.
The administration’s foreign policy decisions have faced growing domestic resistance. The war in Iran has driven up gas prices, while tariffs have raised costs for American businesses. These economic impacts contributed to the electoral results. Internationally, the election outcomes have prompted varied reactions, including AI-generated videos and social media memes, but the primary focus remains on how the new Congress will execute its oversight role.
The next two months will test the administration’s ability to act before the new Congress takes office. Lawmakers will monitor spending bills for restrictions on military funds. They will also track the progress of investigations into the administration’s foreign policy team. The outcome will depend on whether the new leadership can maintain its priorities against the President’s veto power.
