Democrats took both chambers of Congress on Tuesday. Their leaders now say they will use funding to force an end to the Iran war.
54 Senate seats went to Democrats, with two races undeclared. 242 House seats went to Democrats; Republicans won 151. $47 billion is one estimate of the war's cost to taxpayers. 32% approved of Trump's policies in a pre-election Reuters/Ipsos poll. Why it matters: Trump can veto bills, and Democrats lack the two-thirds majority needed to override him. That makes the budget their main lever.
Vice President JD Vance said the war cost Republicans the election. Trump said the war raised gas prices but called it necessary.
The story so far 114 steps · since Oct 9 Oct 9–14 4 smaller steps Oct 146:27 PM Justice Department Sues California Over Alleged Noncitizen Mail Ballots 59 sources Oct 15–22 25 smaller steps Oct 234:53 AM Trump Admin Moves to Block Alaska Senate Result If Sullivan Loses 83 sources Oct 23–28 18 smaller steps Oct 2810:51 AM Democrats Accused of Recruiting Second Dan Sullivan in Alaska 76 sources Oct 28 2 smaller steps Oct 283:05 PM Federal Prosecutor Confirms Probe of Alleged Alaska Decoy Candidate 62 sources Oct 28–Nov 2 43 smaller steps Nov 22:25 PM Analysts Weigh U.S. Foreign Policy Shift After Iran War You are here Nov 2–3 16 smaller steps Nov 311:35 PM Republican Redistricting Fails to Oust Kaptur, Loses in Kansas 10 sources Latest
How 18 sources split on this story Bias Ownership
Strong Left Left Lean Left Center Lean Right Right Strong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean % of 18 sources
28% 61% 11%
18 sources · 36 articles · 61% Center coverage
Where they split: Coverage differs on whether cutting war funds would succeed or would backfire on Democrats, as a similar push did over Iraq in 2007.
Center coverage, 11 sources: The center sees the power of the purse as Democrats' strongest tool but warns it carries political risk and cannot undo the damage to U.S. standing.
Left coverage, 5 sources: The left sees the result as a voter rebuke of the war that gives Democrats real power to end it, while Republicans split.
What’s next: Democrats could attach Iran conditions to December's stopgap funding bill or the roughly $1.15 trillion defense authorization.
Investigations of the war and of defense contracts with Trump-linked firms are expected. Trump has kept both further strikes and diplomatic talks open. Will enough Republicans break with Trump to override a veto? Would Democrats risk a government shutdown over war funding? Will Iran push harder for its terms after the Republican losses? 
