The recent U.S. midterm elections have shown that the Trump administration’s foreign policy decisions have had a significant impact on domestic issues, such as rising gas prices due to the war in Iran and increased costs for American businesses as a result of tariffs. According to polls, a majority of voters believed U.S. support for Israel had been too strong, and nearly three-quarters considered the war in Iran a major factor in their vote.

Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and staff writer at The Atlantic, has outlined three ways Congress could influence U.S. foreign policy under Democratic control:

1. Influencing the war in Iran: Once Democrats take control of both chambers, they could use the power of the purse through appropriations committees to end the war or influence politics by restricting the use of federal funds for certain military operations. While this may not lead to an immediate change in policy, it could change the trajectory of the war sooner or later.
2. Congressional investigations: Congress can investigate how the administration makes foreign policy decisions, even if it cannot directly reverse them. Applebaum expects lawmakers to examine potential corruption involving people close to Trump and decisions made by his foreign policy team, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s competence and the advice Trump received during the Iran war. While these investigations may not force policy changes, they could offer a different narrative about the war and American foreign policy.
3. Changes for Ukraine: Support for Ukraine has been bipartisan in Congress, and Applebaum expects this coalition to become more active under Democratic control. Lawmakers may introduce legislation requiring the president to reimpose sanctions on Russia, though it remains uncertain whether enough lawmakers would support such legislation to override a presidential veto. Congress is also likely to examine disruptions to Ukraine’s satellite communications through Starlink and Starshield services, as well as the administration’s negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.

While the midterm results have inspired hope among U.S. allies regarding the state of American democracy, the extent to which these changes will translate into actual foreign policy shifts remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the increased congressional scrutiny and potential for legislative action could significantly impact the direction of U.S. foreign policy in the coming years.