Congress Reconvenes to Tackle Trump’s Actions on Iran

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In this edition, we delve into the pressing issues taking center stage today:

▪ A look at how Congress is handling the recent attacks linked to Iran, as lawmakers navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.

▪ The intensifying debate over the Department of Homeland Security’s potential shutdown, as new pressures emerge that could influence the outcome.

▪ Insights from a recent poll reveal the front-runners in key Texas races, with Paxton and Talarico leading the charge amidst a highly competitive political environment.

▪ New pressure in DHS shutdown fight

▪ Paxton, Talarico lead Texas races: poll

▪ Cuba reaching breaking point

Lawmakers are wrestling with how to respond to President Trump’s massive attack on Iran that eliminated many of the regime’s top figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The administration briefed congressional leaders before carrying out the strikes, and the White House is planning to brief legislators in both chambers this week. But that hasn’t tamped down backlash from critics.

Many Democrats and some Republicans are expressing outrage at the president’s decision to go forward with military action without congressional authorization.

House Democrats were already planning to force a vote on a war powers resolution this week to restrict Trump’s authority before the strikes began.

The Senate is also set to debate and vote on a war powers resolution sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

The resolutions are all but certain to fail, with nearly all Republicans and some Democrats opposed. Trump would also use his veto if any such resolution came to his desk.

But The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports the debate will give Democrats a platform to argue Trump’s order to attack Iran was illegal and demand he provide an exit strategy.

“The president seems to have no plan for the aftermath, and it looks like Iran is now poised to choose a new leader from the current regime,” Kaine told reporters.

The Iranian government quickly named its interim leadership Sunday after confirming Khamenei’s death. Khamenei served as Iran’s leader for more than 35 years after the death of the regime’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini.

An interim leadership council made up of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i and Guardian Council jurist member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi will oversee the country for now, Iranian state television said. But with Trump determined to enact regime change in the Middle Eastern country and calling on the Iranian people to revolt against their rulers, the path forward for the Iranian government is murky.

Republicans have widely defended the strikes while arguing that attempts at a diplomatic solution weren’t working.

“President Trump was right when he said he’s the first president in 47 years to stand with the people of Iran and give them the backing they need,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a hawkish informal adviser to Trump on foreign policy matters, said in a post on the social platform X. “I am confident this operation will be successful and the liberation of the long suffering people of Iran is at hand.”

Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) has been one of the few Democrats defending the strikes. He told reporters he plans to vote against the resolution when it comes up for a vote.

“Everyone here agrees that we can’t ever allow Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb. And if you’re really serious about that, these are the kind of things that are necessary and they all need to be on the table,” he said.

While “Operation Epic Fury” has already killed several of Iran’s top political and military leaders, the strikes may be far from over, prompting fears of a prolonged conflict.

Three U.S. service members have been killed and five have been seriously injured in the military operation. Trump signaled more casualties could be coming.

CENTCOM said three U.S. fighter jets were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses” late Sunday while the country defended against retaliatory Iranian attacks. Six aircrew ejected and are in stable condition, according to the U.S. military. 

Trump said Saturday that the bombing campaign in Iran could last through the coming week or “as long as necessary” to achieve peace in the Middle East.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine will hold a briefing at 8 a.m. ET to share updates on the attacks.

A few Republicans have signaled they may break with their party. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a cosponsor of Kaine’s resolution, said on Saturday he will “oppose another presidential war.”

Bolton reports that Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) are seen as other possible votes in favor of the resolution.

The president did reportedly show interest in restarting talks with Iran’s new leadership, telling The Atlantic in an interview Sunday that “they want to talk” and he agreed.

Iranian security head Ali Larijani denied reports that he’s seeking to resume talks with the U.S. following the massive U.S.-Israeli attack.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Larijani, the leader of Iran’s National Security Council, sought to restart the discussions through Omani mediators.

“We will not negotiate with the United States,” Larijani said in a post on X.

Trump told the Daily Mail in an interview that the fighting could last four weeks.

“It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so — as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks — or less,” Trump said. 

▪ The Hill: How the strikes could trigger war with Iranian proxies.

▪ The Hill: Foreign minister says Iran will do ‘whatever it takes’ to defend itself.

3 Things to Know Today

1. Conflict in the Middle East is spreading as fighting is breaking out between Israel and Hezbollah. The militant group launched a rocket and drone attack against Israel, which responded with attacks on key areas in the suburbs of Beirut and elsewhere.
2. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the future of the Middle East “depends on” the success of the operation against Iran, calling the current moment a “historic juncture.”
3. All border crossings into the Gaza Strip are closed as the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran continue. Israeli officials called the change “necessary security adjustments.” 

Leading the Day

ADDED PRESSURE: The attack on Iran is putting new pressure on lawmakers over the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Some Republicans have argued Democrats should change course and agree to fund the department given the U.S.-Israeli strikes and concerns about retaliatory threats against the homeland.

“As we face a heightened threat landscape, it is more important now than ever that we fully fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) said in a post on X. “We cannot afford delays. We must ensure DHS is operating at maximum readiness to prevent and respond to threats against our homeland.”

Most DHS employees received their first reduced paychecks Friday, a key point that has previously added pressure to resolve past shutdowns. Officers for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are set to miss their first round of paychecks later this week.

The New York Times reported that TSA officers are growing frustrated with not being paid, risking further straining the airport security system.

With most DHS staffers deemed essential workers, The Hill’s Al Weaver reports both sides are worried there is little impetus to move along the stalled negotiations.

But Republican and Democratic senators are considering ways to limit the impacts of a prolonged shutdown on air travel. With most TSA employees required to continue working without pay during shutdowns, the number of absences usually rises, leading to greater backlogs at airports.

The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other Republicans are considering the possibility of shifting some funding Congress provided to border security through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year to airport security.

Some Democrats said they would be open to it, expressing concern about the impact the shutdown will have on air travel. But neither side is optimistic about reaching a broader deal anytime soon.

▪ Politico: Republicans use Iran strikes to pressure Dems on DHS.

TEXAS POLL: A new poll released Sunday showed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and state Rep. James Talarico (D) leading for their respective parties’ nominations for Senate.

The Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media survey showed Paxton leading incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R), 40 percent to 36 percent, with Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) in third with 17 percent. The results add to other polls showing Paxton leading but with less than 50 percent of the vote, making a runoff likely.

Talarico leads Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) with 52 percent to her 47 percent, within the margin of error. Polling has been split in this race, with each candidate leading in different surveys.

GENERATIONAL BATTLES: The Democratic Party’s ongoing push for generational change will be on display Tuesday in two of the first primary contests of the midterm elections.

Texas and North Carolina voters will head to the polls, choosing nominees for critical Senate races. But two House races will be a test of where Democrats stand as some call for the party to turn the page to younger leaders, The Hill’s Caroline Vakil reports.

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), a 78-year-old congressman who has served in the House for 20 years, is facing newly elected Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas), who is 37. They were drawn into the same district amid Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting push last year.

In North Carolina, Rep. Valerie Foushee (D), who is 69, is facing a challenge from 32-year-old Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam. The race is a rematch of the 2022 contest.

The primaries come as some of the party’s top longtime leaders, including Reps. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Steny Hoyer (Md.), plan to retire at the end of their terms.

▪ The Hill: Five things to watch in Tuesday’s Texas primaries.

▪ The Hill: Iran becomes latest flash point in Senate races.

SHOOTING PROBE: Authorities are investigating “indicators” of a possible link to terrorism after a shooting near a popular bar in Austin, Texas.

Multiple outlets have identified the suspected shooter as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, who was killed by law enforcement. He is originally from Senegal and came to the U.S. in 2006, eventually becoming a naturalized citizen.

At least two people were killed and 14 others were injured when the gunman opened fire early Sunday morning, the local Austin-based outlet KXAN reported.

After officers responded to reports of the shooting at the bar, the suspect allegedly drove a short distance away, left his vehicle and started shooting at people walking by. Officers encountered him at an intersection and shot and killed him.

Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio field office, told reporters that officials found possible indications of the attack being an act of terrorism. Sources told The Associated Press that the shooter was wearing a sweatshirt saying, “Property of Allah,” and another shirt with an Iranian flag design.

But Doran emphasized it’s “still too early to make a determination on that.”

When & Where

• The president will participate in executive time at 8 a.m. He will participate in a Medal of Honor ceremony at 11 a.m. and signing time at 1:30 p.m. He will participate in policy meetings at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• The House will convene at 9 a.m. for a pro forma session.
• The Senate will meet at 3 p.m.

Zoom In

DEMS’ STRATEGY SESSION: House Democrats are coming out of their annual retreat seeking to present a vision to the country beyond just being anti-Trump heading into the midterms.

The Hill’s Mike Lillis reports Democrats say they can’t simply rely on the president’s poor approval ratings but must put together specific policy priorities to serve as their campaign message this year and core legislative agenda if they retake control of the House.

“This cycle isn’t just about what we’re up against. We’ve got to present a real plan to the American people,” Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) said.

History is on Democrats’ side, as the president’s party traditionally loses seats in Congress during the midterms. Republicans only have a narrow majority in the lower chamber, so Democrats wouldn’t need to net many seats to regain control.

But the party has sometimes faced criticism that it’s more focused on opposing Trump than clearly defining its own agenda. Coming out of the three-day conference, Democrats said affordability will be the central theme.

Under that broad category, they plan to zero in on five areas: health care, housing, groceries, electricity and utilities, and caregiving. Their ideal is to replicate the “Six for ‘06” message that they rode back to power in Congress 20 years ago.

▪ The Hill: Why young voters are turning away from Trump.

▪ The Hill: Trump says he’s not considering national emergency ahead of midterms.

Elsewhere

‘ZERO HOUR’: The Cuban government is reaching a breaking point as the Trump administration increases pressure on the communist regime, seeking to bring about its collapse.

A U.S. fuel blockade is exacerbating a long-standing economic crisis for the island, causing shortages of food, water and medicine, The Hill’s Laura Kelly reports.

“If we don’t see a tanker come into Havana sometime by mid-March, that’s what we call the zero hour. In other words, that’s it. There’s no inventory, there’s no strategic reserves, that’s it, they’re out of business,” said Jorge Piñon, the director of the Latin America and Caribbean Energy Program at the University of Texas at Austin.

Trump floated the idea of a “friendly takeover” of the country, which is currently led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, potentially mirroring the U.S. approach to Venezuela. But Kelly reports that analysts aren’t convinced that path exists for the hard-line regime.

▪ The Hill: Pope Leo XIV says peace can’t be achieved through ‘mutual threats.’

Opinion

The Closer

And finally … The annual Kennedy Center Honors awards ceremony will reportedly continue despite the center closing for renovations this summer.

The local Washington, D.C., news outlet WTOP first reported interim Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell said the ceremony will be known as the “Trump Kennedy Center Honors” and take place in an alternate location.

The center’s Trump-appointed board renamed the center as the Trump Kennedy Center in December, though only an act of Congress can officially and permanently change the name. And the president announced last month that the center would close for two years starting July 4 for a restoration, subject to board approval.

Several performers and groups have canceled their scheduled performances at the center since the renaming.

But multiple outlets reported Grenell said the ceremony will go on.

“It will definitely go forward,” he said. “It will probably just be in a smaller venue, which just means ticket demand will be even higher.”