Democrats Could Curb Trump's Foreign Policy With Congress Control

Independent analysts suggest Democrats have a strong chance of winning the U.S. House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections on November 3rd. Such a victory would shift power in Washington, ending two years of Republican control. Democrats argue that Republicans have allowed President Donald Trump's administration to initiate military actions and control spending, powers constitutionally reserved for lawmakers.

A Democratic-controlled Congress could significantly impact Trump's foreign policy. For instance, regarding Iran, Trump did not seek congressional approval before launching military action on February 28th. Democrats have repeatedly voted to end such conflicts without explicit approval, and one such resolution, supported by a few Republicans, was ignored by the administration. If Democrats gain control of either chamber, they could reduce defense spending to pressure Trump into seeking congressional consent for ongoing military operations and compel administration officials to testify publicly about their plans.

Furthermore, Democratic support for Israel has waned due to its actions in the Gaza war, which resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths, and ongoing violence in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close alliance with Republicans has also contributed to this shift. Democrats could reduce or halt military aid to Israel, which totaled $3.8 billion in the past fiscal year, the largest amount Washington provides to any country. Nearly half of House Democrats voted this summer to cut aid to Israel, with some, like Representative Gregory Meeks, supporting restrictions on arms sales, such as heavy bombs.

Democrats might also re-evaluate military aid to Ukraine, which Trump has largely suspended despite bipartisan support for Kyiv against the Russian invasion. Trump recently angered lawmakers, including Republicans, by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and its energy sector shortly after signing them into law. A Democratic majority in Congress could allow them to schedule votes on new aid packages for Ukraine, potentially overcoming Trump's likely veto with a two-thirds majority. Representative Meeks, who might chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced bipartisan legislation to block Trump's plan to reintroduce Russian diesel to the global market.

Democrats are also likely to push for reduced military spending, contrasting with Trump's proposed 67% increase to $1.5 trillion. Democrats previously blocked this increase in the Senate, citing Trump's refusal to consult Congress on the Iran conflict and his cuts to social programs. Additionally, Democrats aim to restore billions in foreign aid that Trump has withheld or canceled, which had angered many lawmakers.