Republicans in the US Congress are resisting growing pressure from Democrats to hold public hearings on the war with Iran, creating a new political standoff on Capitol Hill as the conflict enters its third week. Get today's headlines by email Democratic lawmakers say Congress has yet to properly examine the case made by Donald Trump’s administration for launching the military campaign, even as the cost of the war rises and American casualties increase. So far, 13 US service members have been killed and billions of dollars spent on the conflict, but the president has not sought formal congressional authorisation for the military action. Republicans point to private briefingsRepublican leaders have largely avoided scheduling dedicated public hearings on the war, instead pointing to classified briefings provided by administration officials. John Thune, the Senate majority leader, said lawmakers were being regularly briefed behind closed doors and suggested that questions about the conflict could also be addressed during routine hearings on military policy and spending. Senior Republicans who chair national security committees have also indicated they do not currently plan to hold hearings focused specifically on the war. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said lawmakers would continue conducting what he described as “generous” and “thorough” oversight through existing congressional processes. Administration officials, including Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, and Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have also been addressing questions from reporters during regular press briefings. Democrats demand public scrutinyDemocrats argue that those steps fall short of the public oversight required for a major military conflict. Cory Booker, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, said Congress had failed to hold a substantive public debate while the government was spending roughly $1bn per day on the war. Several Democratic senators have threatened to force a series of votes on measures that would require the president to seek congressional approval before launching further military strikes. Among them is Chris Murphy, who warned that Democrats could use procedural tactics to slow Senate business if hearings are not scheduled. Unease emerging among some RepublicansWhile most Republican lawmakers have supported Trump’s decision to attack Iran, some have begun expressing concern about the lack of detailed explanations from senior officials. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican senator from Alaska, said lawmakers should be involved in discussions before being asked to approve funding for the war. “I don’t want to just be given the invoice,” she said, urging both classified briefings and public hearings so Americans could better understand the conflict. Other Republicans have also criticised some of the briefings they have received. John Kennedy said a recent classified meeting failed to provide answers that lawmakers were seeking. Debate may intensifyDemocrats hope that repeated votes on war powers resolutions could force Republicans to confront the issue publicly, even if the measures are unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled Congress. The dispute comes as lawmakers prepare for a possible request from the Trump administration for additional funding to cover the cost of the war. With congressional midterm elections approaching and public support for the conflict uncertain, analysts say the debate over oversight and funding could become a central political battle in Washington. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 16.March 2026
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