US senators demand end to Iran war funding in bill averting shutdown

WASHINGTON — The possibility of a government shutdown next month increased somewhat Thursday as a group of U.S. senators said the stopgap spending bill must cut off funding for the Iran war. Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, as well as Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, wrote in a joint statement that a short-term funding bill “must include language that restricts the Trump Administration from using appropriated funds to continue his war against Iran.” Legislation must be enacted by Dec. 11 to avert a shutdown. “The American people do not want more war in the Middle East — but that is what President Trump has given them. Congress cannot allow Trump to continue his conflict — we must force him to end it,” they wrote. “Not doing so will only prolong the American people’s pain, and opens the door to further escalation as he has threatened.” Washington state Sen.

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