Over the past several months, Democrats have rolled out a series of messaging bills aimed squarely at targeting President Donald Trump and his policies, underscoring their strategy heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
However, the legislation included in the push, which spans issues from war powers to impeachment, has a near-zero chance of passing.
War powers fight intensifies
Democrats have zeroed in on Trump’s military actions in Iran, arguing he failed to properly consult Congress before initiating operations.
Under the War Powers Resolution, the president can deploy military force for up to 60 days after notifying Congress. Trump formally notified lawmakers on March 2, giving him until May 1 before authorization is required, though the conflict began on February 28.
Lawmakers in both chambers have pushed for votes to rein in the administration, framing the effort as both constitutional oversight and political accountability.
“Upon our return, we will force another vote on the House floor around the War Powers Resolution that will compel the Trump administration to cease military hostilities immediately,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said last week.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) echoed that push, accusing Republicans of avoiding debate.
“Donald Trump is now escalating his illegal war against Iran, instituting a blockade that will both put U.S. servicemembers at risk and drive up costs worldwide,” Schiff said. “If Senate Republicans will not do their basic constitutional duty … we will force the debate they are avoiding.”
The Senate has voted on War Powers three times since the beginning of the war with Iran. The votes failed with limited bipartisan support.
Republicans have largely dismissed the efforts as political maneuvering.
“The goal is to suck up floor time,” said Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH).
Moreno was backed by Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), who said: “War powers is a delay tactic and a messaging bill.”
Targeting personal financial gain
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and several Democrats introduced a bill Wednesday that would bar the president, vice president, and their families from collecting lawsuit settlements from the federal government.
The measure follows Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department after his and his sons’ tax records were leaked.
“While American families are getting flattened by skyrocketing costs, Donald Trump is trying to snatch up billions of taxpayer dollars to line his own pockets and settle personal scores,” Warren said in a statement.
Calls for removal
Some Democrats have introduced legislation tied to Trump’s fitness for office.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, unveiled a bill to create a 17-member commission to evaluate whether the 25th Amendment could be invoked, which allows provisions for a president to be removed from office if deemed mentally unfit.
The measure has 50 co-sponsors but faces steep procedural hurdles. Vice President JD Vance would have to sign off on the commission’s findings, and Congress would need a supermajority vote to approve Trump’s removal.
The proposal follows calls from more than 85 Democrats for impeachment or removal after Trump said that “whole civilization will die tonight” in reference to the Iranian people.
Rep. John Larson (D-CT), who introduced separate articles of impeachment, argued the president’s rhetoric signals instability. “He’s becoming more unstable by the day,” Larson said, warning that the comments “put our security at risk.”
Broader messaging push
Beyond Trump directly, Democrats are expanding their messaging efforts.
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House Democrats are preparing to launch a task force focused on ethics reforms and voting access, according to the Associated Press.
They have also introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of war crimes and abuse of power.