Washington, Nov 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US Congressman-elect Amish Shah has called on Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over decisions concerning the war with Iran, saying lawmakers must take a more active role in overseeing President Donald Trump’s administration and the handling of the conflict.
“We’ve got to take the authority away from the president on this because Congress has the responsibility to declare war,” Shah said during an interview with AZFamily’s Good Morning Arizona programme on Friday.
The Democrat, an emergency room physician and former Arizona legislator, defeated Republican Jay Feely in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. He will succeed Republican David Schweikert, who vacated the Scottsdale-area seat to run for governor.
Shah said he wanted Defence Department officials to present a comprehensive assessment of the conflict, including a plan and available options for bringing it to an end. While praising the performance of the US military, he criticised the administration’s management of the war.
Acknowledging the challenges involved in ending the conflict, Shah said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would help ease petrol prices. He linked the need for stronger congressional oversight to economic concerns raised by voters during the campaign, including the rising costs of groceries, fuel, housing and health insurance.
The congressman-elect has also placed affordability, healthcare protection and Arizona’s water security among his priorities. He has pledged to work across party lines and build relationships with lawmakers from both parties.
Shah has begun transition discussions with Schweikert. In a post on X on Friday, he said the two had met a day earlier to ensure a smooth handover and that his office would be ready to serve from the first day.
His victory followed an expensive campaign. Cronkite News, citing Federal Election Commission filings, reported that super PACs spent $16.2 million supporting Feely, while House Majority PAC spent $6.4 million on Shah’s campaign.
Shah had also contested the seat in 2024 but narrowly lost to Schweikert. He is expected to take office when the new US Congress convenes in January.
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