Five ways Democrats may shape US foreign policy from January
Democrats could use their House and Senate majorities to challenge Trump over Iran, bring Ukraine aid to a vote and restrict arms supplies to Israel.
- Democrats may use their control over defense spending and nominations to pressure the president to seek congressional authorization for the war in Iran.
- They plan to pass a new aid package for Ukraine, which could attract enough bipartisan support to override a presidential veto, and may also challenge the administration's easing of sanctions on Russia.
- Reflecting shifting party sentiment, Democrats could restrict specific weapons sales to Israel or seek to reduce the country's overall military aid.
- The party is likely to limit increases in military spending while working to restore foreign aid funds that the administration has previously withheld.
- Democrats may launch investigations and hold hearings into US military operations in Venezuela and challenge the administration's broader Latin America policy.
Democrats will decide what comes to a vote in the US House of Representatives and the Senate from January, after winning both chambers in the November 3 midterm elections. That gives them a way to press President Donald Trump over the war in Iran, put fresh aid for Ukraine to a vote and scrutinise arms supplies to Israel.
During the campaign, Democrats accused Republicans of spending their two years in control of Congress allowing Trump to exercise powers the Constitution gives lawmakers over war and public spending. Five areas show how Democrats could use their new majorities and where they might find Republican allies.
1. Defence funds and nominations could give Democrats leverage over the Iran war
Democrats could cut defence spending or delay votes on Trump’s nominees to press him to seek congressional authorisation to continue the war in Iran. They could also call administration officials to public hearings to explain their plans to lawmakers and the public.
Trump launched the war alongside Israel on February 28 without first obtaining congressional approval. Democrats have repeatedly voted to end US involvement unless Trump seeks authorisation. A handful of Republicans helped one such resolution pass both chambers, but the administration ignored it.
2. New aid for Ukraine could draw enough Republican votes to survive a veto
Democratic congressional aides have identified aid for Kyiv as a priority. Despite broad support in both parties for helping Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion, Trump has largely halted direct US financial and military assistance. From January, Democrats can schedule a vote on a new aid package.
The size of the Democratic majorities was still unclear on November 4. Given the strength of past Republican support for Ukraine, Reuters assessed that a new package would probably attract the two-thirds majority needed in each chamber to override a Trump veto.
Russian energy sanctions offer another opening for cooperation between the parties. Trump angered lawmakers, including many Republicans, by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and waiving restrictions on Russian energy just weeks after signing them into law. Gregory Meeks, a Democratic representative from New York who is likely to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced a bipartisan bill to block Trump’s plan to return Russian diesel to world markets.
3. Democrats could restrict weapons for Israel or cut off military aid
Nearly half of House Democrats voted this summer to end military aid to Israel. Even among those who opposed a cut-off, some, including Meeks, have backed limits on the weapons the US supplies, such as heavy bombs.
US military aid to Israel has included a base of US$3.8 billion a year. Washington has provided billions more since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, which prompted Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Democratic support for Israel has fallen sharply over its conduct in Gaza, where the war has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. Continued violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close ties to Republicans have also contributed to the decline.
4. Democrats could curb defence spending and restore foreign aid
Democrats are more likely than Trump’s Republican allies to limit military spending. Senate Democrats have already blocked Trump’s request this year for an unprecedented 67% increase in the military budget, which would have taken it to US$1.5 trillion. They cited his refusal to consult Congress over Iran and his deep cuts to social programmes.
Many Democrats also want to restore billions of dollars in foreign aid that Congress approved but Trump withheld or cancelled. Foreign aid enjoyed strong support from both parties during Trump’s first term.
5. US operations in Venezuela could face congressional hearings
Some Democrats want investigations and hearings into Trump’s actions in Venezuela, where the US military ousted the president. US forces have also carried out deadly strikes on boats off the Venezuelan coast for more than a year. Those operations mark a more aggressive US approach to Latin America than recent presidents pursued.
Trump has imposed sanctions aimed at Cuba’s communist government and threatened military action to force a change of government. Democratic critics have described the sanctions as cruel, arguing that Cuban civilians bear the cost.
The Trump administration has also tried to influence elections in Honduras, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil. Some Democrats have called for an end to US involvement in foreign elections.
Source: Reuters
