Chris Van Hollen floats using government shutdown threat to force Trump to end Iran war

Sen.Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., floated using a government shutdown to get President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran during an interview on Thursday, after announcing he would challenge Sen.

Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for the incoming Majority Leader position.Van Hollen was asked multiple times during an MS NOW interview how he would be different from Schumer as leader.The senator pointed to ending the war in Iran."Well, the difference is, I believe we need to be firm," he said.

"I think that we heard loud and clear from the American people that they want to end the war in Iran and bring down prices.We shouldn't say we're going to wait until January when we have the power to do it on Dec.

11.And so, this should not be a finger in the wind issue.

This should not be sort of frittering around.This should not be a question of timidity.

We need to answer the call of the American people, end the war, bring down prices, do it now.Not a penny, not a penny to fuel this war."Congress will need to fund the government by Dec.

11 to avoid a shutdown.MS NOW's Jen Psaki asked Van Hollen if Trump would be "forced" to end the war because Congress couldn't do it unilaterally.FOX NEWS POLL: 71% THINK TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LACKS PLAN TO END IRAN WARSen.

Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, is hoping to be the next Senate Majority Leader.(Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)"The president would be given a choice, right? Does he say to the American people that 'I'm going to shut down the United States government? Am I going to shut down all the agencies of the U.S.

government to keep the illegal war in Iran going and to keep prices high,' when we could do it now?" Van Hollen said.He said Trump could choose to "completely ignore" the will of the American people and shut down the government.Schumer's office did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.The White House also did not return a request for comment.SEN BERNIE SANDERS SUPPORTS CHRIS VAN HOLLEN'...