Democrats Retake Congress in Challenge to Trump Policies, Iran War


   
Barani Krishnan
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) - Democrats have retaken control of the House of 
Representatives and Senate with landslide wins in U.S. midterm elections, 
indicating challenges for the Trump administration's policies, including the 
war in Iran.

   Securing at least 225 House seats to surpass the required majority of 218, 
and 54 of the 100-seat Senate, Democrats could widen their composition of both 
chambers in the coming days with more votes to be counted from the Tuesday 
(11/3) election.

   With Republicans backing U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled to make way 
in January for the winners of their seats, Democratic lawmakers are expected to 
challenge Trump on the War Powers Resolution to limit military action in the 
Strait of Hormuz. They could also demand explicit Congressional authorization 
for further strikes against Iranian targets.

   While presidents can invoke emergency powers to initiate short-term military 
strikes, Article I of the Constitution reserves the right to declare war to 
Congress to prevent executive overreach.

   "Similarly, Trump can maintain U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil via executive 
order, but a Democratic-controlled Congress can also push for a diplomatic 
de-escalation to secure commercial vessel transit through the Strait of 
Hormuz," said John Kilduff, partner at New York energy hedge fund Again Capital.

   Republicans are also likely to face limits on their efforts to expand export 
approvals for domestic crude oil from the U.S. Gulf Coast or roll back 
Environmental Protection Agency curbs on drilling and other upstream oil 
activity under a divided government.




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