NEWS: Schiff, Booker, Kaine, Murphy, Baldwin, Duckworth Lay Out Demand to Thune for Immediate Hearings on Iran War Following Introduction of New War Powers Resolutions

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.),Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) are following up on their demand that Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) ensure the relevant committees of jurisdiction in the Senate hold immediate public hearings on the Trump-Vance Administration's ongoing unconstitutional war in Iran.

This follows the Senators' move to file War Powers Resolutions to stop President Donald Trump's illegal and unnecessary war. The Senators made plain they will use these resolutions to force debate and additional votes if Republican leadership does not move swiftly to arrange public committee hearings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

"Already, oil and gas prices are spiking, the prices of basic goods are increasing, and the U.S. is spending billions of dollars on this war, rather than focusing on reducing costs here at home. The Trump administration must answer questions publicly under oath in front of the American people, not just behind closed doors. Without public hearings, this work period, we will pursue other options for ensuring timely public debate on the Senate floor," the Senators write in their letter to Thune.

Background:

Late last week, Senators Schiff, Kaine, Baldwin, and Murphy filed individual War Powers Resolutions to curtail the Administration's power to conduct war without congressional approval in Iran.

Under Senate rules, these resolutions-which were filed on March 5th and 6th-are "privileged," which means they are eligible to be immediately called up for a discharge vote on the Senate floor after 10 calendar days.

The Senators are demanding public debate and oversight of the administration's war immediately in the relevant committees of jurisdiction, or they will use the tools of the Senate to hold this public debate and continued votes on the administration's war powers on the floor of the Senate.  

The new resolutions were filed days after a majority of Senate Republicans voted to block the War Powers Resolution led by Schiff, Kaine and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) resolution to prevent the continued use of military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

Last June, the Senate voted on a similar War Powers Resolution introduced by Kaine and Schiff to prevent the use of military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The June resolution gained bipartisan support but did not receive enough votes to advance. 

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Majority Leader Thune,

We write to request that Senate committees of jurisdiction hold immediate public hearings with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other relevant Cabinetlevel officials to explain to the American people why the Trump administration launched an unconstitutional war with Iran and why this expensive, escalating conflict is in America's national interest. Already, oil and gas prices are spiking, the prices of basic goods are increasing, and the U.S. is spending billions of dollars on this war, rather than focusing on reducing costs here at home. The Trump administration must answer questions publicly under oath in front of the American people, not just behind closed doors. Without public hearings, this work period, we will pursue other options for ensuring timely public debate on the Senate floor.

The Constitution is clear. Only Congress has the solemn responsibility to declare war or authorize the use of military force, absent an imminent threat to the United States, and Congress has done neither. The War Powers Act of 1973 is also clear. It states that "the collective judgement of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities" (50 USC 1541(a)). Yet, on February 28, 2026, without Congressional authorization or consultation, the Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury, introducing the United States military into direct hostilities with Iran as part of what President Trump and multiple administration officials have characterized as "war." With at least 50,000 troops participating in the largest U.S. naval and air mobilization since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Trump administration has provided no clear strategy, timeline, objectives, cost assessment, or credible legal basis for these military operations.

After just over a week of fighting, seven U.S. servicemembers have been killed and at least 140 have been injured. According to reports, more than 1,700 people have died as the war spread from Iran to Israel, the Gulf states, Lebanon, and beyond-affecting at least 15 different countries to date. U.S. embassies, consulates, and military installations throughout the region are under daily attack. Thousands of U.S. citizens were left stranded when the war began, because the administration failed to plan for evacuating Americans in advance. And while President Trump drags the U.S. into another potential forever war in the Middle East, the Trump administration is cutting benefits to our nation's veterans, trivializing military rules of engagement, and firing counterterrorism experts who focus on preventing threats from Iran and its proxies here at home, undermining U.S. safety, strength, and prosperity.

Now let us be clear: the Iranian regime, which is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, is the most dangerous and destabilizing force in the region and should never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. We also stand with the people of Iran, who deserve a government that guarantees basic human rights, democracy, economic opportunities, and a future free from oppression. However, the challenges posed by Iran's regime cannot be resolved through military means alone-and none of these facts suspend our Constitution or confer upon any president the authority to unilaterally wage war.

As Members of the United States Senate, we have a duty to deliberate on the sacred matters of war and peace. The Trump administration also has a duty to publicly make its case before Congress and the American people, and if the administration wants to continue fighting this war, they must seek legal authorization from Congress. We therefore urge you to ensure the Senate committees of jurisdiction hold hearings with Secretaries Hegseth and Rubio immediately. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

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