To force Trump to end Iran war, Chris Van Hollen floats using government shutdown threat
Shutdown threat enters debate
Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, raised the possibility of using a shutdown to push Trump to end the Iran war. He spoke about the idea during a Thursday interview on MS NOW.
Congress must fund the government by Dec. 11 to prevent a shutdown. During the interview, host Jen Psaki asked whether Trump would be forced to end the war if Congress could not end it on its own.
Leadership challenge ahead
Van Hollen is seeking the incoming Senate Majority Leader role and plans to challenge Schumer, a New York Democrat. The interview included repeated questions about how Van Hollen would lead differently from Schumer.
Van Hollen pointed to ending the war in Iran when asked about the difference. The interview did not provide further details about how a shutdown threat would be used.
Poll cited on war plans
A Fox News poll cited in the report found that 71% think the Trump administration lacks a plan to end the Iran war. The article provided no additional details about the poll.
Van Hollen’s proposal links the government funding deadline with pressure on Trump over the war. The stated deadline is Dec. 11.
Key points
- Van Hollen suggested a shutdown threat could pressure Trump to end the Iran war.
- The Maryland Democrat is challenging Chuck Schumer for the incoming Senate Majority Leader position.
- Congress needs to fund the government by Dec. 11 to avert a shutdown.
- A cited Fox News poll found 71% think the Trump administration lacks a plan to end the war.