Overview
Members of the U.S. Senate and House will get a rare public opportunity this week to press Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the Trump administration's foreign policy as the Iran war advances into its fourth month. Rubio, who also holds the role of national security adviser, is scheduled to testify on the State Department's budget request at hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees over two days.
Budget fight and military priorities
The administration is seeking congressional approval for a proposed 30% cut to the foreign affairs budget while simultaneously requesting a 50% increase in military spending. Rubio's testimony will center on that request and on how the administration proposes to resource diplomatic and security priorities given the competing demands.
Lawmakers seek a clear endgame on Iran
Lawmakers said they expect their former Senate colleague, who left the chamber in January 2025, to lay out a strategy for bringing the Iran conflict to an end. The confrontation began with strikes by the U.S. and Israel on February 28. While Rubio and other senior officials have briefed members of Congress behind closed doors, he has not publicly testified on the matter until these scheduled hearings.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut voiced frustration on the domestic impact of the conflict, saying on CBS' Face the Nation program: "We just need this war done, no matter the terms at this point." Murphy pointed to sharply higher gasoline costs for American consumers and businesses and criticized President Trump for easing sanctions on Russian oil as part of efforts to curb energy price increases tied to the confrontation.
Political and market pressures
Americans have registered growing frustration over rising energy prices, a political dynamic that Republicans hope the president can address by reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lowering U.S. gasoline prices ahead of November elections that will determine whether the party keeps its narrow congressional majorities. At the same time, the president must contend with Iran hawks within his own party who oppose concessions to Tehran.
Legislative moves on war powers
Congress has not been idle. Last month, the U.S. Senate advanced a war powers resolution designed to end the Iran conflict unless President Trump secures explicit authorization from Congress. Shortly after, House leaders abruptly delayed a planned vote on a similar measure when it appeared likely to pass.
Questions about other U.S. operations abroad
Members of Congress have also demanded additional information about activities in Venezuela following an operation in which U.S. forces were sent to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. Lawmakers note that Maduro's second-in-command has been serving as Venezuela's acting president and that there are no current plans for elections.
Questions have also been raised about U.S. forces firing on vessels off Venezuela's coast since September. The administration characterizes that campaign as an effort to stop "narco-traffickers," but officials report the operations have resulted in more than 200 deaths, prompting further congressional scrutiny.
Separately, members have pushed for details regarding the administration's approach to Communist-controlled Cuba. Concerns have grown about the potential for U.S. military action as the administration increases pressure on the island, and lawmakers want clarity on plans and possible consequences.
What to expect at the hearings
Rubio's appearances are likely to test the balance the administration seeks between diplomacy and force, and to probe how proposed budget shifts will map to strategic objectives. Lawmakers from both parties are expected to press for concrete explanations on how the administration plans to conclude the Iran conflict, how it will mitigate energy market disruptions and what oversight is planned for operations in Venezuela and Cuba.
Note: This article focuses on the scheduled congressional hearings, budget proposals and specific overseas operations referenced above. It reports the positions, votes and quotations as stated by lawmakers and the administration in the materials cited at those hearings and public statements.