Case
Do they support the war in Iran?
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 midterm candidates stand on the unauthorized Iran war, based on their votes on war-powers resolutions, campaign statements, and public remarks.
Chuck Grassley
United States Senator (Republican) from Iowa.
Published cases
Case
Were members of Congress's phone records and text messages properly obtained in the Arctic Frost and Jack Smith investigations?
Republicans say Jack Smith's team improperly obtained members of Congress's phone records and texts and used nondisclosure orders to hide it. Smith and Democrats say the toll records were approved and lawful; Smith says the texts came from White House phones. Member counts differ.
Statements by Chuck Grassley
Chuck Grassley
Role at the time: Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in his opening statement as prepared for the hearing
Condemned
Response to this claim
Sen. Chuck Grassley said that Jack Smith sought the toll records of 16 members of Congress, that the government sought toll records from at least four members before Smith, and that Smith's team also obtained the content of member communications, breaching the Speech or Debate Clause.
“Before Jack Smith, the government sought toll records from at least four Members of Congress. Jack Smith sought the toll records of 16 Members of Congress and also obtained the content of Member communications, breaching Speech or Debate. ... Accordingly, Jack Smith’s secretive efforts obtained Member toll records and, ultimately, content. Then, he sought Non-Disclosure Orders to hide his effort from Members, while also apparently failing to apprise the court of the targets.”
Watch the original video (opens in a new tab)Oversight of Jack Smith's Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters (hearing video) · Senate Committee on the JudiciaryChairman Grassley's opening remarks, about 0:31:39 to 0:37:05 on the archived video timeline (toll-record passages at 0:31:44-0:32:26 and 0:36:42-0:37:05)
Why we used this label
The case asks whether the collection of members' phone records and messages was proper. Grassley said Smith sought the toll records of 16 members, obtained the content of member communications in breach of Speech or Debate, and sought nondisclosure orders to hide the effort from members. That rejects the collection as improper and unconstitutional, so we labeled it Condemned.
Chuck Grassley
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Iowa
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Chuck Grassley voted nay on H.Con.Res. 89, a vote against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89: A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 244: H.Con.Res. 89, Iran War Powers Resolution (rejected, 49-50)
Why we used this label
Voted against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, a vote to let U.S. involvement continue without congressional authorization.
Chuck Grassley
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Iowa
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Chuck Grassley voted Nay on H.Con.Res. 86, the Senate resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 184: H.Con.Res. 86, Iran War Powers Resolution (agreed to, 50-48)
Why we used this label
A nay vote opposed the resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, allowing U.S. military operations in the war to continue.
Topics in this coverage
- 2026 Midterm Elections
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
- Government Transparency1 case
- Iran War
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
- January 6 Attack1 case
- Law Enforcement
Statement dates: September 29, 2026
- Privacy
Statement dates: September 29, 2026
- U.S. Politics
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 29, 2026