Republicans Resist Calls for Iran War Hearings, Creating Standoff with Democrats

Congress has yet to publicly test the Trump administration's case for the conflict as it enters its third week.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:18am

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The United States' war with Iran is entering its third week, but Congress has yet to publicly examine the Trump administration's justification for the conflict. Republicans in Congress have so far resisted calls from Senate Democrats for public hearings with administration officials, even as Democrats threaten to force a series of votes to disrupt the Senate's agenda and pressure Republicans to act.

Why it matters

The role of Congress in deliberations over the Iran war is an unsettled question with high stakes, as lawmakers have the power to shape the trajectory of the conflict as it grows in cost and casualties. So far, 13 military members have been killed and billions of dollars have been spent, but President Trump has not sought congressional approval for attacking Iran.

The details

Republicans in Congress have largely sidestepped public debate over the war, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune saying he doesn't expect public hearings specifically on the Iran war. GOP committee chairs have also said they don't have plans in the near term to hold hearings, though some acknowledge the value of lawmaker questioning. Democrats are threatening to force a series of votes on the war in an effort to gum up the Senate's voting schedule and prod Republicans to action.

  • The United States' war with Iran is entering its third week.
  • On Monday, the 17th day of the conflict dawned.

The players

John Thune

Senate Majority Leader.

Pete Hegseth

Defense Secretary.

Dan Caine

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Roger Wicker

Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Lisa Murkowski

Republican senator from Alaska.

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What they’re saying

“We've had no oversight whatsoever over what the executive is doing as we're spending a billion dollars a day, and we have failed to have any real substantive debate or discussion.”

— Cory Booker, Senator, D-N.J. (ksgf.com)

“They have briefed us. We're going to conduct generous oversight, thorough oversight.”

— Roger Wicker, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee (ksgf.com)

“I don't want to just be given the invoice from the Department of Defense, saying this is what it's going to cost. I want them to be engaged with us.”

— Lisa Murkowski, Senator, R-Alaska (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Trump administration is expected to submit a supplemental budget request in the coming weeks to cover the costs of the war, which will face a difficult path through Congress.

The takeaway

The standoff between Republicans and Democrats over public hearings on the Iran war highlights the ongoing tensions over Congress's role in overseeing the conflict, which has already resulted in significant costs and casualties without the approval of lawmakers.