BY MIRABEL ODETA
Six Democratic senators in the United States Senate said on Monday that they are launching a stronger push to demand public hearings on the ongoing war with Iran. The lawmakers say they want senior officials from President Donald Trump’s administration to appear before Congress, testify under oath, and answer questions about the conflict. They also warned that if Republicans block these efforts, they are prepared to take steps that could disrupt the Senate’s normal operations.
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey told reporters that the top Democratic members of the Senate committees responsible for foreign policy and military affairs have formally requested hearings from the Republican chairmen who lead those panels. According to Booker, the requests were sent to Senator James Risch, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Roger Wicker, who leads the Armed Services Committee.
The group of senators said their main objective is to bring about a swift end to the conflict with Iran while also ensuring the safety of American troops deployed in the region. They noted that some U.S. service members have already suffered casualties since the military engagement began, raising concerns in Congress about the risks of a prolonged conflict.
Staff members for the two Senate committees did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the Democrats’ demands for public hearings.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said the hearings should take place as soon as next week. He argued that key figures in the administration should testify publicly, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State as well as Acting National Security Adviser Marco Rubio. Murphy said the American people deserve to hear directly from these officials about the administration’s plans and expectations for the war.
So far, administration officials have only held closed-door classified briefings with members of Congress. While those meetings provide lawmakers with sensitive information, Democrats argue that they do not give the public enough transparency about the conflict. They say voters should understand how long the war might last, what the administration hopes to achieve, and what the potential consequences could be for the United States and its allies.
Republicans currently control the Senate with a narrow 53–47 majority. That majority allows them to determine which legislation and debates reach the Senate floor. Because of this advantage, Democrats have limited formal power to force hearings or votes without some level of Republican cooperation.
However, Booker emphasized that individual senators still have tools they can use to slow down or interrupt Senate business. He said senators possess “a tremendous amount of power” through procedural rules and privileges that can be used to delay routine operations if necessary. While he declined to outline the exact tactics Democrats might use, he suggested that the group is prepared to escalate pressure if their requests continue to be ignored.
Booker described the conflict with Iran as the most significant U.S. military engagement since the war in Afghanistan. Because of the scale and potential consequences of the conflict, he argued that Congress cannot simply continue with its normal legislative schedule as if nothing unusual is happening. According to him, the Senate has a responsibility to thoroughly debate the war and ensure that the executive branch is held accountable.
Despite those concerns, both chambers of Congress have so far rejected Democratic calls to hold formal debates and votes under the War Powers Resolution. That law is intended to limit the president’s ability to commit U.S. forces to military action without authorization from Congress. Democrats say such a vote would force lawmakers to take a clear position on the war.
President Donald Trump has offered several explanations for launching military strikes against Iran, but critics say those justifications have shifted over time. Some lawmakers argue that the administration has not clearly defined its strategic goals or explained how it plans to avoid a prolonged regional conflict.
Public opinion surveys suggest that many Americans are uneasy about the situation. A new national poll released on Monday found widespread concern that the military engagement could drag on for a long time. About 60 percent of respondents said they believe the conflict will continue for an extended period, potentially driving up gasoline prices and causing broader economic effects. The survey also showed that only about 29 percent of adults support the U.S. attacks on Iran.
While Republicans have generally supported Trump’s approach or avoided confronting him over issues such as military action, government spending authority, and trade tariffs, Democrats have occasionally succeeded in pushing the Senate to challenge some of those moves. They hope that raising public pressure and demanding open hearings will eventually force more debate within Congress.
The current push for hearings is being led by a small but vocal group of Democratic senators. Alongside Booker and Murphy are Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Iraq War veteran who has often spoken about military policy, Senator Adam Schiff of California, Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. Together, they say Congress must play a more active role in scrutinizing the war and determining the country’s next steps.
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