Democrats Threaten to Disrupt Senate Over Trump’s Iran War

Senate Democrats are threatening to disrupt chamber proceedings and force votes on war powers resolutions unless Republicans agree to hold public hearings explaining the Trump administration’s decision to strike Iran, Bloomberg News reported.

Democrats expressed frustration that all briefings so far have been classified and held behind closed doors. (Photo: Gage Skidmore Flickr) 

Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Tim Kaine of Virginia said they want open hearings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They expressed frustration that all briefings so far have been classified and held behind closed doors.

“There’s a reason to keep it secret—because you don’t believe it will stand analysis in the light of day,” Kaine said.

The group, which also includes Senators Tammy Duckworth, Tammy Baldwin, Chris Murphy and Adam Schiff, said they were speaking individually rather than on behalf of the entire Democratic caucus.

Still, they plan to use procedural tactics available to the minority party to slow Senate business until Trump administration officials testify publicly.

These tactics could include forcing additional votes on war powers resolutions, delaying nominations and legislation, and blocking unanimous consent agreements that allow the Senate to operate efficiently.

Baldwin acknowledged that Democrats have “a limited number of tools” to check the administration but said they would use procedural obstacles to delay Senate activity until the public receives a fuller explanation of the administration’s actions in Iran.