Congress picks up the pieces after the Iran war

Key Points:

• Congress faces the aftermath of President Trump's nearly four-month conflict with Iran, dealing with lives lost, financial costs, and shifting Middle East dynamics without having formally authorized the war.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seeks over $1.5 trillion in Pentagon funding, including a potential $350 billion increase, while senators push for accountability measures related to the war, including investigations into civilian casualties.
• Lawmakers express concern over the recent Iran deal, particularly a proposed $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction, drawing skepticism from Republicans wary of financial concessions reminiscent of the Obama-era nuclear agreement.
• Despite multiple attempts, Congress failed to assert war powers to end the conflict, with no formal authorization granted for military action against Iran, leading to mixed reactions about the war's outcomes and the ceasefire's durability.
• Key senators from both parties acknowledge that none of the president's objectives were met, highlighting significant costs to the U.S. and questioning the leverage gained from the conflict and subsequent deal.