With the November 3 midterms approaching, disputes over Iran, federal spending and Alaska’s Senate election are testing the boundaries between Congress and the Trump administration.
Nine days before the November 3 midterms, disputes over military operations in Iran, congressionally approved spending and Alaska’s Senate election are putting the balance of power between Congress and the Trump administration in focus.
The issues have different legal status. Congress can legislate and control appropriations; courts will decide the claims in the Alaska case. But all three could become arenas for testing executive authority, particularly if Democrats win control of either chamber.
Reuters reports that President Donald Trump began the Iran war on February 28 without first obtaining congressional authorization. Democrats argue Republicans have allowed the administration “to declare war and control spending,” despite Congress’s constitutional powers over war and funding.
The Senate rejected a Democratic-led resolution on October 22 that sought to end U.S. military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. The vote showed the measure lacked the support to pass; it did not settle the broader dispute over congressional authority or determine how a differently composed Senate might act.
Congress could use funding restrictions, hearings and demands for testimony to challenge the administration’s policy. Reuters reports Trump requested a 67 percent increase in the military budget, to $1.5 trillion, and Senate Democrats blocked the request. A change in control could alter future funding and oversight, but would not itself end the war. Legislation would still need to pass both chambers and, if vetoed, win enough votes to override the veto.
A separate dispute concerns the administration’s effort to rescind nearly $1 billion in spending approved by Congress. The cuts target programs including immigrant and refugee services, education, housing counseling and minority-business development. The White House announced the package with five days left in the fiscal year, leaving little time for congressional review.
The Government Accountability Office has said the administration’s “pocket rescission” maneuver is illegal. Sen. Susan Collins has also challenged the administration’s approach, saying the Office of Management and Budget, an executive-branch agency, does not decide which programs are worth funding. The central issue is Congress’s power of the purse: if an administration can effectively cancel appropriations without meaningful review, lawmakers’ spending decisions may carry less force. A new majority could investigate or pursue legislation, but the outcome would depend on votes and legal proceedings.
The Alaska lawsuit raises a different question: whether the federal government can intervene before a state certifies an election. The Justice Department sued over certification of the Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, arguing that another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan could siphon votes. Trump said he directed the administration to bring the case. Attorney General Todd Blanche said DOJ does not seek to stop voting or certification.
On October 25, the ACLU and Common Cause moved to intervene on behalf of two Alaska voters, the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause, and filed a proposed motion to dismiss. Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee separately sought intervention and dismissal, describing the suit as an “unprecedented pre-emptive strike.” Mary Peltola called the action frivolous. The Center for Election Innovation and Research said certification is a state-law matter.
The filings create an immediate litigation front before the election, but they are arguments, not a ruling. The court will have to assess the Justice Department’s claims and the challengers’ objections. The case could clarify the limits of federal involvement in a state’s election process.
Foreign policy is also colliding with household costs in the campaign. Reuters reports that the Iran conflict and Trump’s tariffs have become part of voters’ concerns about prices. The election will determine control of committees and the legislative calendar, not automatically resolve these disputes. Their next steps will depend on congressional votes, executive action and the courts.
Miles Harrington serves as the Senior Correspondent for Federal Systems & Executive Power at Just Right News, where he brings a disciplined, constitutionalist lens to the inner workings of the American government. With a focus on the mechanics of the federal bureaucracy and the limits of executive authority, Harrington has established himself as a vital voice for readers who value transparency, accountability, and the preservation of the separation of powers.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Harrington’s perspective is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Old Dominion. Growing up in a city defined by its historical significance and its role as a center of American jurisprudence, he developed an early appreciation for the foundational principles of the Republic. His upbringing in Richmond—a place where the legacy of the Founding Fathers is woven into the landscape—instilled in him a belief that the federal government should remain within its constitutional bounds. This background informs his skepticism of centralized overreach and his commitment to reporting on the ways in which the administrative state impacts the lives of everyday citizens.
In his current role, Harrington specializes in the complexities of federal systems. He doesn’t just report on the headlines of the day; he digs into the structural shifts within the executive branch that often go unnoticed by the mainstream press. Whether he is analyzing the implications of a new federal regulation or investigating the expansion of agency jurisdiction, his work is characterized by a rigorous adherence to the facts and a dedication to the rule of law.
Harrington is perhaps best known for his signature feature series, “How Washington Works.” Through this ongoing project, he demystifies the often-opaque processes of the nation’s capital, pulling back the curtain on the “Deep State” and the unelected officials who wield significant influence over national policy. By breaking down complex legislative maneuvers and executive orders, he empowers Just Right News readers to understand the true levers of power in Washington. His reporting serves as a necessary check on the federal government, ensuring that the actions of those in power are held up to the light of public scrutiny.
Now based in Washington, D.C., Harrington operates at the epicenter of the political world, yet he remains intentionally distanced from the “Beltway bubble.” His proximity to the halls of power allows him to maintain a robust network of sources across the federal landscape, but his heart remains in the principled conservatism of his Virginia roots. He views his role not merely as a reporter, but as a steward of the public trust, dedicated to providing the clarity and context that conservative voters need to navigate an increasingly complex political environment.
Through his sharp analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth, Miles Harrington continues to be a cornerstone of the Just Right News team. His work ensures that the principles of limited government and executive restraint remain at the forefront of the national conversation, providing a crucial service to those who believe in a government that is truly of, by, and for the people.