Congress descended into a partisan battle over the Iran war this week as Democrats forced floor votes on both sides of the Capitol, seeking to make Republicans own the mounting costs of a conflict that has grown deeply unpopular with the American public.
Democrats test GOP resolve on war
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate invoked procedural tools to force votes on resolutions related to the Iran conflict, betting that the exercise would put swing-district Republicans in a bind. The strategy appeared to work, with several GOP lawmakers expressing public unease about the trajectory of the war. Polling shows the conflict has eroded support for the administration across party lines, and Democrats see it as their strongest messaging weapon ahead of November.
Spending package faces headwinds
Speaker Mike Johnson continued efforts to assemble a package that would fund the Iran war, provide disaster relief for farmers hit by extreme weather, and incorporate President Trump's push for strict new voter ID requirements. The combination has proved difficult to sell, with moderate Republicans balking at the voter ID provisions and conservatives demanding deeper spending cuts. Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces his own challenges shepherding the legislation through the upper chamber.
Tariffs add economic pressure
The White House announced a fresh wave of tariffs on 60 trading partners, imposing rates of 10% to 12.5% on a wide range of imports. The move replaces previous tariff structures and comes as rising oil prices from the Iran conflict compound inflationary pressures. Economists warned the combination of higher energy costs and new tariffs could slow growth heading into the election season.