Nearly three weeks into military operations against Iran, Republican lawmakers are blocking calls for public hearings on the war, arguing that congressional scrutiny would undermine the conflict. Top Republicans have echoed President Trump's justifications for the strikes while resisting demands from Democrats to question administration officials under oath about the escalating campaign.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have briefed Congress in classified settings, but Democrats want public testimony about strategic goals and costs. The Pentagon has requested up to $200 billion in war funding, with operations exceeding $11.3 billion in the first week alone. Republicans contend that televised hearings would reveal divisions to Iran and harm military efforts.

Democrats argue this marks an unprecedented launch of major military operations without public congressional oversight, comparing it to the Iraq War buildup in 2003 when Secretary of State Colin Powell testified before Congress. Senator Christopher Murphy called it "unprecedented in American history" to wage a war of this scale without open hearings, while Republicans maintain Trump operates within his authority for 60 days without congressional approval.