{"id":2574818,"date":"2026-02-28T19:25:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T00:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-scrambles-for-answers-after-trump-iran-strike\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T19:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T00:26:39","slug":"congress-scrambles-for-answers-after-trump-iran-strike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-scrambles-for-answers-after-trump-iran-strike\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress scrambles for answers after Trump Iran strike"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcongress-scrambles-for-answers-after-trump-iran-strike%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2574818&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that congressional leaders are scrambling to brief lawmakers on the overnight U.S.-led operation wiht Israel that killed top Iranian leaders, reigniting debate over President Donald Trump\u2019s war powers.Republicans and the trump administration are organizing all-member briefings and committee sessions, with Democrats aiming to vote on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/43-republican-democrat-house-members-demand-biden-seek-approval-before-sending-u-s-troops-to-ukraine\/\" title=\"43 Re...an, Democrat ... Members Demand Biden Seek Approval Before Sending U.S. Troops To Ukraine\">war powers resolution<\/a> to constrain the president, though such votes are unlikely to succeed given broad support for the strikes.<\/p>\n<p>Key details:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Senate and House leadership plan emergency briefings and fast hearings,with the Senate slated to return Monday and the House on Wednesday; briefings for all members are planned after initial briefings for select groups.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The administration has been providing updates to smaller groups of lawmakers and is coordinating with committees on weekend sessions, while public and classified briefings are expected in the near term.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The Gang of Eight received a briefing before the operation, and Senator Rubio is noted in the text as having alerted the group; Senate leaders, including Chuck schumer, are pushing for rapid, comprehensive updates to all members and public testimony.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Politically, Republicans and a small number of Democrats back the strikes, making the prospects for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-us-launched-strikes-against-iran-what-we-know\/\" title=\"The US launched ... against ...: What we know\">war powers votes<\/a> uncertain<\/a>, even as concern grows about the potential for a protracted conflict and American troop risk.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Congress scrambles for answers after Trump Iran strike<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2518456\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Congressional leaders are rushing to get lawmakers up to speed on a military conflict with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/page\/44\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23575036758&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD8dCuxQnm0NEPKbS_pnHUmQPDFja&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAhtvMBhDBARIsAL26pjFUKZ8y4sbvQ3aZs1wmz65Q7RzPrtJuhbM4F6mJBdbmQk3FwzgFmDAaAh2sEALw_wcB\">Iran<\/a> that is rekindling a fight over President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s war powers.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">House and Senate<\/a> are working with the Trump administration to set up all-member briefings on the overnight military operation that killed top Iranian leaders, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475844\/netanyahu-touts-growing-signs-iran-strikes-killed-the-ayatollah\/\">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>, according to two sources familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4475929\/iran-conflict-calls-reopen-dhs-cannot-afford-delays\/\">Threat of Iranian retaliation puts pressure on Democrats to reopen DHS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475662\/trump-finds-unlikely-democratic-allies-on-decision-to-strike-iran\/\">Trump finds unlikely Democratic allies on decision to strike Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4475533\/congressional-war-power-act-revive-calls-vote-iran\/\">Congressional War Power Act advocates revive calls for vote after Trump&#8217;s Iran strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Leadership hopes to hold the briefings next week, when Democrats plan to force votes that would tie Trump&rsquo;s hands on Iran, though the Trump administration has been updating smaller groups of lawmakers more quickly, with briefings planned for key committees on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans and a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475662\/trump-finds-unlikely-democratic-allies-on-decision-to-strike-iran\/\">handful of Democrats<\/a> came out in support of the strikes on Saturday, meaning it is unlikely the war powers votes will succeed. But the attack, a joint operation with Israel that has prompted Iranian retaliation in the region, has raised concern that the United States is entering a protracted conflict that puts American troops in harm&rsquo;s way.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475732\/the-us-and-israel-attacked-iran-what-we-know\/\"><strong>THE US AND ISRAEL ATTACKED IRAN: WHAT WE KNOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called for the Senate to &ldquo;quickly&rdquo; return to session so that lawmakers can vote on the war powers resolution. He is also requesting that Trump officials update the public on the military operation with congressional hearings.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat,&rdquo; Schumer said in a statement. &ldquo;The administration must brief Congress, including an immediate all senators classified briefing and in public testimony, to answer these vital questions.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the Senate is slated to return Monday and the House on Wednesday. But congressional leaders are convening emergency calls to discuss the conflict, with House Republicans set to speak at 4 p.m. on Sunday and Democrats meeting over Zoom at 8 p.m. the same day, according to sources familiar with the planning.<\/p>\n<p>The administration began to brief Congress on Iran in the lead-up to the strikes, holding a meeting with the Gang of Eight on Tuesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PressSec\/status\/2027777973319766251?s=20\">called each member<\/a> of the group, which includes top House and Senate leaders and the heads of the intelligence committees, before the operation got underway.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475553\/rubio-gang-eight-iran-attack-venezuela-mission\/\"><strong>RUBIO ALERTED GANG OF EIGHT BEFORE IRAN ATTACK, IN CONTRAST TO VENEZUELA MISSION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I thank Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week,&rdquo; Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LeaderJohnThune\/status\/2027748879140000019?s=20\">statement<\/a> Saturday, adding that he expects a briefing for all members in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>Staff on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are receiving an update from the State Department on Saturday, according to a GOP aide, followed by a Pentagon briefing on Sunday. The Trump administration is simultaneously expected to provide updates to the Senate Intelligence Committee over the weekend, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/02\/28\/iran-strikes-congress-lawmakers-trump-00805615\">according to<\/a> <em>Politico<\/em>. Similar briefings are planned for the House.<\/p>\n<p><em>Lauren Green contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lawmakers brief on Trump-Iran strike; warpowers debated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2574819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26043763647622-e1772323004581.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[4402,3823,17730,50590,3634],"class_list":["post-2574818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-congress","tag-iran","tag-reactions","tag-strike-2","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26043763647622-e1772323004581.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574818"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2574822,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574818\/revisions\/2574822"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2574819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}