Trump vows to become 'Mr Veto' if Democrats win, Ro Khanna has other plans

US Representative Ro Khanna has said a Democratic-controlled Congress should move to stop funding further US military action in Iran if the party regains control of the House and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections.

The California Democrat said lawmakers should use Congress's spending powers to bring the conflict to an end, arguing that continued military operations were adding to the financial pressure on American households.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Khanna said a Democratic majority should make stopping the war funding one of its first priorities.

'I would stop the funding. The House and the Senate should stop the funding for any further actions in the Iran War. That's what we did to stop the Vietnam War, and we need to stop this war in Iran,' he said.

Khanna also linked the conflict to rising fuel prices, arguing that voters concerned about higher petrol and diesel costs should consider the war when deciding how to vote.

He said that people who wanted the Iran war to continue and 'want to have higher gas prices, higher diesel prices' should 'vote Republican'.

In a post on X accompanying the television interview, Khanna reiterated his position, saying Democrats could vote to 'zero out appropriations for the war in Iran'.

Khanna invokes Congress's power over spending

Khanna's proposal centres on Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending, commonly known as the power of the purse. The House and Senate approve government funding, including money allocated for military operations.

He argued that lawmakers could use appropriations bills to prevent further funding for the conflict, comparing the approach to congressional efforts to end US involvement in the Vietnam War.

However, Khanna's assertion that the president cannot veto such a funding measure needs qualification. Appropriations bills passed by Congress are generally subject to presidential approval or veto. Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, according to the US Constitution.

Khanna has also worked with Republican Representative Thomas Massie on several resolutions seeking to limit US military action in Iran. However, previous efforts to advance such measures have not succeeded, The Hill reported.

The debate comes as the Iran conflict enters its ninth month. The Hill reported that the war had cost the US an estimated $47 billion by October and resulted in the deaths of 21 American service members. The estimate does not include damage to US military bases in West Asia.

Trump threatens to become 'Mr Veto' if Democrats win

Khanna's remarks come as President Donald Trump has warned that he could use his veto powers extensively if Democrats win control of Congress in the midterm elections.

In a preview of an interview with The New York Post, aired on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Trump said he could become 'Mr Veto' if Democrats take control of the House or Senate.

'I guess I'll become Mr Veto. I'm not going to let them ruin it,' Trump told the newspaper's Miranda Devine.

Explaining how he would deal with a Democratic-controlled Congress, Trump said: 'They'll be sending stuff up, you veto it.'

He added that after repeated vetoes, Democrats could eventually approach him to negotiate a deal.

'Eventually, after a month or two of getting all vetoed, you know, it's just waste, they come over and make a deal,' he said.

Trump's comments underline the possibility of a prolonged legislative standoff if Democrats make gains in the November 3 elections. A Democratic-controlled Congress could use its powers to scrutinise government spending, investigate the administration and block parts of Trump's legislative agenda. The president, however, would retain his veto authority.

With the midterm elections approaching, the Iran war and its economic impact have become important issues in the campaign. Khanna is calling for an end to further military funding, while Trump has indicated he would use presidential powers to challenge legislation passed by a Democratic-led Congress.

First Published:Nov 02, 2026, 10:22:19 IST