GOP infighting threatens critical defense bill

By: By Connor O'Brien

30 June 2026 at 03:13

The annual defense policy legislation, one of the few measures almost guaranteed to pass each year, is held hostage by a Republican battle over an elections overhaul.

House Speaker Mike Johnson departs the Capitol on June 25, 2026, after meeting earlier in the day with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Politico | Defense
House GOP presses ahead with Trump's Department of War name change
25 June 2026 at 06:35

House GOP presses ahead with Trump's Department of War name change

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

25 June 2026 at 06:35

The House Appropriations Committee became the third committee to endorse the Pentagon rebrand.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has adopted the title Secretary of War, has already moved to change numerous signs and stationery within the Pentagon to reflect the preferred Department of War name, despite the lack of official congressional approval.

Politico | Defense
Senate threatens to freeze Hegseth’s travel in bid for boat strike videos, Iran school strike probe
17 June 2026 at 22:29

Senate threatens to freeze Hegseth’s travel in bid for boat strike videos, Iran school strike probe

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

17 June 2026 at 22:29

Major defense legislation approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee freezes three quarters of the Defense Secretary’s travel budget until Congress gets what it wants.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, talks with Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) following the committee's hearing on the Department of Defense budget, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Politico | Defense
House GOP endorses Trump's Department of War renaming
5 June 2026 at 20:52

House GOP endorses Trump's Department of War renaming

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

5 June 2026 at 20:52

The move by the House Armed Services Committee injects another partisan wedge issue into an already fraught defense bill.

Defense Secretary Hegseth took on the title secretary of war last year, but the Pentagon's legal name remains the Department of Defense until Congress signs off.

Politico | Defense
Ukraine aid package passes House, bucking GOP leaders and Trump
5 June 2026 at 08:32

Ukraine aid package passes House, bucking GOP leaders and Trump

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

5 June 2026 at 08:32

Eighteen Republicans broke ranks to help pass the military assistance and Russia sanctions.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) speaks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on April 19, 2023.

Politico | Defense
Iran vote caps Trump’s congressional losing streak
4 June 2026 at 05:24

Iran vote caps Trump’s congressional losing streak

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

4 June 2026 at 05:24

The House vote to halt the Iran war, while largely symbolic, further stymies the administration's political priorities during a week where the GOP has already scuttled several of the president’s goals.

A worker raises a pole bearing the Iranian flag at Enghelab Square in Tehran on June 3, 2026.

Trump faces first big loss on Iran war

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

21 May 2026 at 01:20

Votes in the House and Senate this week to halt the military campaign would prove a stunning embarrassment for the president.

Pro-government demonstrators chant slogans as they wave Iranian flags in Tehran, Iran, on May 19, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Senate advances anti-Iran war measure in surprise blow to Trump
20 May 2026 at 06:43

Senate advances anti-Iran war measure in surprise blow to Trump

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

20 May 2026 at 06:43

Sen. Bill Cassidy, who lost his primary this weekend, became the latest GOP defector as critics took advantage of Republican absences to advance a war powers resolution.

War opponents notably gained another GOP defector in Sen. Bill Cassidy.

Politico | Defense
‘Slap in the face': Republicans skewer Pentagon over Poland move
16 May 2026 at 01:07

‘Slap in the face': Republicans skewer Pentagon over Poland move

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

16 May 2026 at 01:07

Army leaders also appeared taken aback by the administration’s abrupt action.

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and acting Army Chief of Staff Christopher LaNeve prepare to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on May 15, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon's estimate for Iran war grows to $29B
13 May 2026 at 01:32

Pentagon's estimate for Iran war grows to $29B

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

13 May 2026 at 01:32

The latest increase comes even as the U.S. says the fighting has largely stopped.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine prepare to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, on May 12, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Trump tells Congress the Iran war has ‘terminated’ as legal deadline hits
2 May 2026 at 02:30

Trump tells Congress the Iran war has ‘terminated’ as legal deadline hits

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Eli Stokols

2 May 2026 at 02:30

The letter to lawmakers attempts to justify why the president is not seeking congressional authorization after the conflict reaches a 60-day threshold.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on April 30, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon official: Iran war has cost $25B
29 April 2026 at 23:27

Pentagon official: Iran war has cost $25B

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

29 April 2026 at 23:27

The figure is the most specific price tag the administration has provided on the U.S. military conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine testify before the House Armed Services Committee on April 29, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Senate again declines to curb Trump on Iran amid uncertain ceasefire, peace talks
23 April 2026 at 06:04

Senate again declines to curb Trump on Iran amid uncertain ceasefire, peace talks

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

23 April 2026 at 06:04

It's the fifth time a Democratic-led effort to rein in Trump has failed, although Republicans are eyeing an approaching war powers deadline.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) speak with veterans about the Iran war at Capitol Hill on March 18, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon leaders 'get to pick the leaders that they want,' Army secretary says while praising ousted top general
17 April 2026 at 03:24

Pentagon leaders 'get to pick the leaders that they want,' Army secretary says while praising ousted top general

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

17 April 2026 at 03:24

Lawmakers in both parties expressed unease with the sudden departure of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.

U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll (left) fist bumps Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George before testifying during a Senate Committee on Armed Services at the Dirksen Senate Building, June 5, 2025, in Washington.

Politico | Defense
House narrowly rejects limits on Trump as Iran war drags on
17 April 2026 at 00:27

House narrowly rejects limits on Trump as Iran war drags on

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

17 April 2026 at 00:27

Republican leaders kept defections to a minimum, signaling the party isn’t ready to publicly break with the White House on the war effort just yet.

House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking Democrat Gregory Meeks forced the second vote to halt the U.S. military campaign against Iran since the conflict began.

Politico | Defense
Republicans reject Iran limits as war powers milestone nears
16 April 2026 at 03:19

Republicans reject Iran limits as war powers milestone nears

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

16 April 2026 at 03:19

The Middle East conflict faces a ticking war powers clock for lawmakers to authorize continued operations that could be a bigger political headache for Trump and Republicans.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth led Democrats in a fourth unsuccessful vote to halt the U.S. military campaign against Iran.

Politico | Defense
Top Republican attacks Pentagon for not providing details on Iran
26 March 2026 at 02:32

Top Republican attacks Pentagon for not providing details on Iran

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

26 March 2026 at 02:32

The House Armed Services Committee chair said the department owes lawmakers more information about the administration’s plans for U.S. troops in the Middle East.

"That's what I conveyed to them at the end of this hearing, is this has consequences if you don't remedy it," Mike Rogers told reporters.

Politico | Defense
Republicans reject limits on Iran war, despite deepening conflict
25 March 2026 at 08:01

Republicans reject limits on Iran war, despite deepening conflict

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

25 March 2026 at 08:01

This was the third test of GOP support for the president's actions, even as oil prices have shot up and the American public appears increasingly disenchanted with the war.

Democrats, as part of their push, want Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to agree to testify publicly on Iran.

Politico | Defense
Congress braces for $200B Iran war request
19 March 2026 at 23:28

Congress braces for $200B Iran war request

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

19 March 2026 at 23:28

The ballooning cost of the war is certain to intensify an already toxic fight on Capitol Hill over the Trump administration's three-week military campaign in the Middle East.

"It takes money to kill bad guys,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing on Thursday.

Politico | Defense
Senate rejects limits on Trump as Iran war intensifies
19 March 2026 at 08:28

Senate rejects limits on Trump as Iran war intensifies

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

19 March 2026 at 08:28

Democrats have filed a half dozen war powers resolutions aimed at keeping the pressure on Republicans amid Trump's ongoing campaign against Iran.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., right, is joined by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., left, for a press briefing on the Iran war powers resolution at the Capitol, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Washington.

Congress declines to halt Iran war

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

6 March 2026 at 05:45

Lawmakers will effectively be spectators in the president’s decisions around the Iran war after both the House and Senate rejected efforts to curb Trump’s power.

President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 1, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Senate rejects bid to scale back Iran war
5 March 2026 at 06:28

Senate rejects bid to scale back Iran war

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

5 March 2026 at 06:28

A similar measure is also expected to fail in the House, giving the president near carte blanche to proceed with the conflict.

Iraqi Shiite carry a replica of a coffin of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Tehran, during a symbolic funeral, in Najaf, Iraq on March 4, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Lawmakers splinter on Trump administration’s case for war on Iran
4 March 2026 at 08:34

Lawmakers splinter on Trump administration’s case for war on Iran

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien， Joe Gould and Leo Shane III

4 March 2026 at 08:34

The administration made its case behind closed doors on Tuesday — and Republicans liked what they heard.

Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks with reporters after a briefing from Trump administration officials on the U.S. strikes on Iran at the U.S. Capitol on March 3.

Politico | Defense
Iran strikes aren’t an ‘endless’ war, Pentagon policy chief argues
4 March 2026 at 01:49

Iran strikes aren’t an ‘endless’ war, Pentagon policy chief argues

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Joe Gould

4 March 2026 at 01:49

Elbridge Colby’s rejection of an open-ended conflict comes as the administration seeks to solidify its messaging on the U.S. operation in Iran.

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill, on March 3, 2026.

Politico | Defense
GOP has the votes to crush Iran war rebuke, Johnson predicts
3 March 2026 at 06:57

GOP has the votes to crush Iran war rebuke, Johnson predicts

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Jack Detsch

3 March 2026 at 06:57

Trump administration officials will brief lawmakers Tuesday ahead of high-stakes war powers votes this week.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with reporters as he arrives to brief lawmakers on the U.S. strikes on Iran at the U.S. Capitol on March 2.

Politico | Defense
Dems vow to force votes on Iran war powers next week
27 February 2026 at 00:40

Dems vow to force votes on Iran war powers next week

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Meredith Lee Hill

27 February 2026 at 00:40

The sponsors of the war powers legislation, Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, had initially planned to hold a vote this week.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), flanked by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 8, 2026.

Politico | Defense
Kelly expects Trump to come after him again
14 February 2026 at 01:32

Kelly expects Trump to come after him again

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

14 February 2026 at 01:32

The Arizona Democrat and five other lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds have been attacked by the president over a video they released in November reminding military personnel not to follow illegal directives.

"This is about the free speech rights of over 2 million retired veterans. ... He's going after them," Sen. Mark Kelly said of the president.

Politico | Defense
Federal court blocks Hegseth effort to punish Democratic senator
13 February 2026 at 01:54

Federal court blocks Hegseth effort to punish Democratic senator

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien and Josh Gerstein

13 February 2026 at 01:54

The judge said the Pentagon had “trampled” on Sen. Mark Kelly’s First Amendment freedoms.

Sen. Mark Kelly takes an elevator in the Capitol after speaking out against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts to censure on Jan. 12.

Politico | Defense
Republicans narrowly fend off bid to limit Trump on Venezuela
23 January 2026 at 07:04

Republicans narrowly fend off bid to limit Trump on Venezuela

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

23 January 2026 at 07:04

GOP lawmakers pulled out all the stops to manage a tie vote and keep a war powers effort at bay a week after Senate Republicans quashed a similar measure.

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