Explainer-Five ways US foreign policy may change with a Democratic Congress
uncertain
policy → change → Congress
WASHINGTON, Nov 4 - Democrats secured control of the US Senate and House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, giving them an important slice of power in Washington after two years of Republican control.
During the campaign, Democrats had argued that Republicans ceded Congress's constitutional war-making and spending powers to the administration of President Donald Trump.
asserted
Republicans → secure → Trump
They are now expected to curb those powers.
asserted
They → expect → powers
Here are some ways a Democratic Congress could hem in Trump's foreign policy.
uncertain
Congress → hem → policy
CURB THE IRAN WAR
Trump did not secure approval from Congress before he launched the war with Iran alongside Israel on February 28, and Democrats have voted repeatedly to end the fighting unless he seeks congressional authorization.
asserted
he → curb → authorization
One of these resolutions passed both the House and Senate with support from a handful of Republicans, but Trump's administration ignored it.
asserted
administration → pass → it
With their new influence, Democrats could cut defense spending or hold up nominations to pressure Trump to obtain permission from Congress to continue the war.
uncertain
Democrats → cut → war
They could also require administration officials to keep lawmakers and the public informed, including at public hearings, about their plans.
uncertain
They → require → plans
FRESH SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Trump has largely halted direct financial and military aid to Ukraine, which is fighting a Russian invasion, despite broad support for the US assistance from Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
Most recently, he has angered members of Congress, including many Republicans, by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and waiving sanctions on Russian energy, weeks after signing them into law.
asserted
he → halt → law
With control of both chambers starting in January, Democrats will be able to decide what gets voted on and when.
asserted
what → start → January
That could allow them to approve new aid to Ukraine, which likely would pass with the two-thirds majorities needed to overcome a Trump veto.
uncertain
which → allow → veto
Democratic aides have said assisting Kyiv is a priority.
asserted
assisting → say → Kyiv
They could also target other Trump activities.
uncertain
They → target → activities
For example, Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, who is likely to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced bipartisan legislation to block Trump's plan to bring Russian diesel back into the global market.
asserted
who → chair → market
While the final size of the Democratic majorities has not been determined, backing for Ukraine has been so strong in the past from both that party and many of Trump's Republicans that Congress may be able to muster majorities large enough to override a Trump veto.
uncertain
Congress → determine → veto
END MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL
Support for Israel has plummeted among Democrats over its conduct in the Gaza war, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
asserted
which → end → civilians
The ongoing violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close alliance with Republicans have also been factors.
asserted
violence → occupy → Republicans
Democrats could limit or end military aid to Israel, which includes a base $3.8 billion per year, plus billions of dollars more since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that led to the devastating Israeli campaign in Gaza.
uncertain
that → limit → Gaza
Nearly half of House Democrats voted this summer to cut off aid to Israel.
asserted
half → vote → Israel
Some of those who voted against that effort, such as Meeks, have backed limits on providing weapons like heavy bombs to Israel.
asserted
who → vote → Israel
LIMIT MILITARY SPENDING AND RESTORE FOREIGN AID
Democrats are far more likely than Trump's Republicans to limit military spending.
asserted
Democrats → limit → spending
Trump asked for an unprecedented 67% increase in the military budget this year, to $1.5 trillion, but Democrats blocked it in the Senate, citing his refusal to consult Congress about the Iran war and his steep cuts to social programs.
asserted
Democrats → ask → programs
Trump has also withheld or canceled billions of dollars in foreign aid approved by Congress.
asserted
Trump → withhold → Congress
Many Democrats have been angered by the cuts and say they will try to restore funding.
asserted
they → anger → funding
In the past, including during Trump's first term as president, both Democrats and Republicans strongly supported foreign aid.
asserted
Democrats → include → aid
MORE SCRUTINY OF LATIN AMERICA POLICY
Trump has been far more aggressive in the western hemisphere than recent presidents, including the US military's ousting of Venezuela's president and more than a year of deadly strikes on boats off the country's coast.
asserted
Trump → include → coast
He also has imposed sanctions seeking to hurt Cuba's communist government, with threats of military action to force a change in government.
asserted
He → impose → government
The US administration has also sought to influence elections in Honduras, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.
asserted
administration → seek → Honduras
Some Democrats have called for investigations and hearings on Trump's actions in Venezuela.
asserted
Democrats → call → Venezuela
Others have denounced what they term cruel sanctions punishing civilians in Cuba and called for an end to involvement in foreign elections.
asserted
they → denounce → elections
The Aporia
