Here’s What Members of Congress Are Saying About the Attacks on Iran
"As explosions rocked Tehran, Republicans largely voiced support as Democrats warned about a costly and unauthorized conflict.
Members of Congress are weighing in on the United States’ attack on Iran, and Republicans and Democrats are significantly at odds.
Republicans largely praised President Trump for what they said was a critical operation targeting a country that had long threatened the United States and its allies. Many circumvented the issue of whether the president needed authorization from Congress to carry out an extended military operation.
Democrats warned that Mr. Trump was dragging the country into another protracted war in the Middle East and needlessly endangering American troops. Democrats and a small bloc of Republicans in the House and Senate had planned to force a vote next week on whether to restrain Mr. Trump from waging war in Iran without congressional approval.
Here’s how members are responding:
Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, said Mr. Trump had exhausted “peaceful and diplomatic solutions” to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and now Iran was “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.” He said that the Gang of Eight — the House and Senate leaders from both parties — were told this week that military action in Iran was a possibility “to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran.” He said that Iran and its proxies have “menaced America and American lives,” undermined U.S. interests and “threatened the security of the entire West.”
Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota and the majority leader, praised Mr. Trump for taking action, saying that Iran had “posed a clear and unacceptable threat” to the United States and its allies for years and had “refused the diplomatic offramps.” He said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had provided updates on the operation over the past week, and that the administration would brief members of Congress on the attacks.
Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, the minority leader, called for the Senate to “quickly return to session and reassert its constitutional duty by passing our resolution to enforce the War Powers Act.” He said that the Trump administration had “not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat” before the strikes, and that confronting Iran, including its attempts to develop a nuclear weapon, required “strategic clarity.”
Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, the minority leader, said in a statement that Iran was a “bad actor” that must be “aggressively confronted” for its human rights violations and nuclear ambitions, among other things. But he condemned Mr. Trump for failing to seek congressional approval for the strikes. The Trump administration, he wrote, must explain its rationale and justification for the strikes, define the national security objective and “articulate a plan to avoid another costly, prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East.”
Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas and the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, supported the strikes, saying on social media that Iran sought to develop its nuclear capabilities, sponsored terror groups and waged war against the United States for 47 years. “The butcher’s bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs,” he wrote. “May God bless and protect our troops on this vital mission of vengeance, and justice, and safety.”
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, questioned the constitutionality of the strikes. “The Constitution is clear,” he wrote. “The decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations — particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States — raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.”
Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, who had planned to force a vote next week to curb Mr. Trump’s ability to strike Iran, called the strikes a “colossal mistake.” He said the Senate should “immediately return to session” and vote on his resolution. “Every single senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary and idiotic action,” he said in a statement.
Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky and an ardent opponent of overseas military intervention, described the strikes on social media as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.”
Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said Mr. Trump had “thrust our nation into a major war with Iran” without seeking congressional authorization. He warned that Iran was “weakened, but far from incapable,” and could launch counter strikes and cyberattacks. “Our forces and our allies must be fully prepared for a sustained and dangerous campaign,” he added.
Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California and a sponsor of the bipartisan war powers resolution, urged lawmakers convene on Monday to vote on the measure. “Trump has launched an illegal regime-change war in Iran with American lives at risk,” he said. “Every member of Congress should go on record this weekend on how they will vote.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, a close ally of the president who for years has favored intervention in Iran, said on social media that the operation “will be violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful.” He repeated the president’s call to the Iranian people to overthrow their government, and addressed members of the U.S. and Israeli militaries, writing that “if you are injured or fall, I believe with all my heart that your sacrifice makes your country and the world a better and safer place.”
Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky and a sponsor of the bipartisan war powers resolution, shared “sympathy for the plight of the Iranian people,” but said on social media that he would “oppose another presidential war.” He added, “The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, one of the few Republicans who voted to curb Mr. Trump’s power to continue military action against Venezuela, said on social media that there was “no question that Iran’s brutal regime must be held accountable.” She said she expected lawmakers to receive a “comprehensive briefing” so they could “fully understand the scope, objectives, and risks of any further military action.”
Senator John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, who has broken with his party on issues involving Israel, came out in favor of the attacks on Saturday. “President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region,” he wrote on social media.
Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, a Democrat who broke ranks before the attack and said he would not support the resolution to rein in Mr. Trump, said he expected the president to comply with the War Powers Act. “Congress and the appropriate committees must be fully briefed on the strategy ahead to secure American interests, protect our allies,” he said, “and create the conditions for a safer and freer future for the Iranian people.”
Robert Jimison and Catie Edmondson contributed reporting."
