Opposes Congress limiting Trump's ability to strike Iran
John KennedyUnited States senator from Louisiana
Speaking to CBS News on September 23, 2026, Sen. John Kennedy said he and other Republican leaders want the Iran war to end, but he does not support Congress, in his words, pulling the rug out on President Trump by limiting his ability to strike Iran, particularly, he said, when the United States is winning. He called the genesis of most of that effort political and said it would hurt America, adding that everyone wants the war to end.
“I think the genesis of most, not all of that, but the genesis of most of that is political, and I think it would hurt America. Having said that, we all want the war to end.”
Original post
Other statements by John Kennedy in this case
- Senate vote: Nay on H.Con.Res. 86 (Iran war powers)Earlier: Defended or excused
- Senate vote: Nay on H.Con.Res. 89 (Iran war powers)Later: Defended or excused
- John Kennedy defends the Iran war in September 28 Senate remarksLater: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Do they support the war in Iran?
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 congressional candidates stand on continued U.S. military operations against Iran, based on their votes, campaign statements, and public remarks.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
CBS News post on X reporting comments Sen. John Kennedy made to CBS News' Nikole Killion on September 23, 2026, about congressional efforts to limit President Trump's ability to strike Iran.
Before the quotation
Kennedy spoke with CBS News' Nikole Killion on September 23, 2026, as Congress weighed measures to require authorization for continued strikes on Iran.
After the quotation
Kennedy voted against H.Con.Res. 86, an Iran war powers measure, in June 2026.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Kennedy said he wants the war to end but opposes congressional action to limit Trump's ability to strike Iran, defending the president's discretion to continue the campaign.
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More from this case
Read the full caseBetty McCollum says she will not give the Pentagon a blank check for the Iran war
“When the 120th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, Democrats will hold a majority in the House. I will serve as the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I will not give the Department of Defense a blank check for President Trump’s war.”Read statement
Chuck Schumer says Democrats will end the Iran war and points to the power of the purse
“We are going to end the war. We have some Republicans already who have joined us in ending the war, and the Founding Fathers had the power of the purse as one of the ways of deterring a president who does war without the consent of the American people”Read statement
Ro Khanna says Congress should stop funding further U.S. action in the Iran war
“I would stop the funding — the House and the Senate should stop the funding for any further actions in the Iran War”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Opposes Congress limiting Trump's ability to strike Iran". First published: 2026-09-24. Last updated: 2026-09-24. https://disputeindex.com/events/2344-speaking-to-cbs-news-on-september-23-2026