The federal lawmakers who represent the region have spoken out in the wake of the country striking Iran amid its war with Israel.
The comments came after U.S. military planes and submarines launched weapons, including 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs, on Iran’s nuclear facilities Saturday.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation Saturday night after the attack, which was dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer.
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat,” he said.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania:
“As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS.
“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.
I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world.”
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican from Pennsylvania:
“As I have said all along, Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. This targeted attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is the result of the Iranian regime’s failure to make a deal despite months of President Trump’s good faith efforts to negotiate.
“I applaud President Trump’s strong leadership and his continued commitment to peace through strength. Once again, America’s detractors around the world should know President Trump means what he says.
“And I am so grateful for America’s brave warriors, who appear to have achieved their mission successfully and are returning home safely. I look forward to being briefed along with my Senate colleagues on this action.
This is an important step toward ensuring that the world’s largest state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon.”
U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat From New Jersey:
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey:
“The Iranian regime is the most destabilizing force in the Middle East and the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to global security and US national security. Allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons is an outcome that must never be allowed.
“President Trump has not eliminated Iran’s nuclear threat.
“Despite his boasts of ‘completely and totally obliterating’ Iran’s nuclear facilities, his administration has already begun to shift its tone—acknowledging uncertainty about what was actually accomplished.
“The American people and Congress still do not know how significantly Iran’s nuclear program was destroyed, degraded, or disrupted or what the Administration’s strategy, if any, is going forward to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon in the months or years ahead.
“Instead, President Trump’s decision to strike Iran is a consequential, dangerous gamble. He has put American lives at risk, particularly servicemembers in the region; increased the likelihood of Iranian attacks against the US; and dramatically heightened the danger of an expanded US military entanglement potentially pulling us into another protracted conflict in the Middle East.
“Congress should have been involved in this decision and the American people deserve to understand clearly how such action would lead to a nuclear-free Iran and a safer world.
“We do not know the full consequences of the President’s actions. And there are too many unanswered questions — answers to which the president owes Congress and the American people.
“What we do know is that Iran remains committed to pursuing nuclear capabilities — and that adversaries like Russia are already blustering that they may now more directly assist them.
“This is also a glaring failure of President Trump’s diplomacy. He promised to resolve the Iran crisis through negotiation and has often bragged about his dealmaking prowess. Instead, Trump walked away from the Iran nuclear agreement in his first term without any plan, leaving Iran to develop its nuclear program without restriction or restraint. Donald Trump’s diplomatic and strategic errors have directly led to this present crisis.
“This military escalation was ordered unilaterally, without Congressional authorization or meaningful consultation. There are important Constitutional implications that must be addressed going forward.
“President Trump must immediately brief Congress on any new intelligence, his reasoning and objectives for this strike, what the military operation has accomplished, and what his strategy is going forward.
“This should be a time for leadership; for bipartisan cooperation and for the President and Congress to work together toward a comprehensive plan to ensure American security and safety, the security of Israel and other regional allies, and progress towards a lasting and just peace in the region. This is not a moment for more of Donald Trump’s bluster, exaggeration, and lies.
“Finally, I am thankful for the safety of all US military personnel involved in this mission. And I pray for the continued safety and security of all US service members currently in harm’s way.”
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican:
“The United States executed a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All our aircraft are safely out of Iranian airspace and headed home.
“This was the right call—and a necessary one.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
“Make no mistake: a nuclear Iran is an existential threat—not just to Israel, but to the entire free world. Peace through strength is how we lead. And tonight, the greatest military on Earth delivered —for America, for our allies, and for the cause of global security.
“God bless our Troops. God bless America. And God Bless the enduring cause of liberty, now and forever. #PeaceThroughStrength“
Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican:
“The world is a far safer place without Iranian nuclear sites. Thank you to President Trump and our second-to-none American military for carrying out this successful series of strikes. It is time for security and peace for all.”
Several Democrats and Republicans in Congress raised concern over the U.S. joining the war between Israel and Iran, a longtime U.S. foe. Most concerns were focused on whether the president had the authority to attack another country without consulting Congress.
Trump’s top advisers plan to challenge conservative Congressman Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, due to his disagreement over the president’s move, according to NBC News.
Top Trump administration officials have indicated the nation doesn’t plan to get further involved in the war, but Trump questioned on social media Sunday the Iranian government leadership could be toppled.
According to military and defense publication The War Zone, 125 aircraft, including B-2 bombers, took part in the U.S. attack on Iran. A U.S. Navy submarine launched missiles as part of the attack.
Advertisement
Meet Your Canna Coach: Personalized Guidance, Free for You!
Leave a Comment