Senate Democrats Split Over Iran War Funding
Senate Democrats are fighting among themselves over whether to cut off money for the Iran war, which is bad news for anyone hoping the conflict ends soon.
- Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, says she wants to end the war but is reportedly backing a short-term funding bill that would keep paying for it into 2027.
- A government funding deadline hits in mid-December, giving Democrats leverage to block any bill that includes war money, but party leaders appear unwilling to use it.
- Even some Republicans, including Rand Paul and Josh Hawley, are breaking ranks and refusing to back more war funding after their party took a beating in the midterms.
- Polling shows huge public support, including most Republicans and independents, for Congress ending the war, making the funding fight look increasingly out of step with voters.
- Murray has taken campaign money from AIPAC and large donors, raising questions about why she won't draw a hard line on war funding.
Outlook: Expect a bruising fight before the December funding deadline, with Democrats' response to voter demands likely shaping how much leverage they actually use.