Senator Van Hollen Calls for End to Funding for Iran War

Senator Chris Van Hollen has renewed pressure to end the war in Iran following the Democrats’ major victories in both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections. He has urged Democrats to withhold support for government funding to continue the war. According to him, no further funds should be allocated for the Iran war after December 11.

Van Hollen outlined his position in an interview with The Lever podcast on Tuesday (November 3). He said the temporary government funding measure, known as a continuing resolution, would expire on December 11. Democrats should make ending funding for the Iran war a condition for approving new spending measures, he added.

“This is an illegal war. We must ensure that taxpayers’ money is not used to continue this illegal war,” he said.

Van Hollen also pointed out that the Vietnam War ended after Congress cut off its funding. He said Congress should play a similar role in bringing the Iran war to an end.

In the November 3 midterm elections, Democrats secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, ending the Republican Party’s two-year control of both chambers under President Donald Trump. Various reports have identified the Iran war, inflation and rising living costs as factors behind the Republicans’ electoral defeat.

Meanwhile, Van Hollen has expressed uncertainty about whether he would again support Chuck Schumer as the Senate Democratic leader following the party’s electoral victory. He wants firm commitments from Schumer on implementing an ambitious party agenda before backing his bid for the leadership position.

In particular, the senator has called for a clear party position on ending the Iran war and changing government policies.

Van Hollen’s stance could have a significant impact on the Democrats’ new leadership and political agenda. With majorities in both chambers of Congress, Democrats will have greater influence over legislation to halt war funding and approve government spending.

However, the new Congress will not begin its term until January 3. Political tensions between the two parties are expected to intensify over war funding during the December budget negotiations.