Democrats secured control of the US Senate and House of Representatives in Tuesday’s midterm elections, giving them an important slice of power in Washington after two years of Republican control.
Here are some ways a Democratic Congress could hem in Trump’s foreign policy. One of these resolutions passed both the House and Senate with support from a handful of Republicans, but Trump’s administration ignored it. With their new influence, Democrats could cut defense spending or hold up nominations to pressure Trump to obtain permission from Congress to continue the war. They could also require administration officials to keep lawmakers and the public informed, including at public hearings, about their plans. Most recently, he has angered members of Congress, including many Republicans, by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and waiving sanctions on Russian energy, weeks after signing them into law. With control of both chambers starting in January, Democrats will be able to decide what gets voted on and when. That could allow them to approve new aid to Ukraine, which likely would pass with the two-thirds majorities needed to overcome a Trump veto. Trump has also withheld or canceled billions of dollars in foreign aid approved by Congress. Many Democrats have been angered by the cuts and say they will try to restore funding. In the past, including during Trump’s first term as president, both Democrats and Republicans strongly supported foreign aid.
Trump did not secure approval from Congress before he launched the war with Iran alongside Israel on February 28, and Democrats have voted repeatedly to end the fighting unless he seeks congressional authorization.
Democratic aides have said assisting Kyiv is a priority.
During the campaign, Democrats had argued that Republicans ceded Congress’s constitutional war-making and spending powers to the administration of President Donald Trump. They are now expected to curb those powers.
