Israel’s recent preemptive military operation against Iran has drawn a swift and deeply divided response from lawmakers in Washington, with staunch backing from leading Republicans and some centrist Democrats, while others, particularly from the Democratic side of the aisle, voiced concerns that the move could escalate into a regional conflict and derail diplomatic efforts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was unequivocal in his position: “Israel IS right—and has a right—to defend itself!” His sentiments were echoed by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who declared, “Israel has an unquestionable right to defend itself” and added that he is “proud to stand with Israel.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) framed Iran’s nuclear defiance as a threat to American interests and an existential danger to Israel. “Tonight Israel is taking action to defend itself, and we stand with Israel. Our prayers are with them and all American personnel in the region.”
From across the aisle, Rep. John Fetterman (D-PA) took an unusually hawkish stance, supporting the military action: “Our commitment to Israel must be absolute.” He added, “Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary — military, intelligence, weaponry — to fully back Israel in striking Iran.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) also stood behind Israel, pushing back against critics who framed Israel as the aggressor. “Israel is not the aggressor. It is defending itself against an existential threat that long predates the present preemptive strike. The true aggressor is the Islamic Republic and its empire of terror — an empire stained with the blood of innocent Israelis.”
Republican lawmakers largely praised Israel’s decision. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) posted shortly after news of the operation broke: “Game on. Pray for Israel.” His colleague, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated bluntly, “Proud to stand with Israel.” Cotton later added, “We back Israel to the hilt, all the way,” warning, “if the ayatollahs harm a single American, that will be the end of the ayatollahs.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who previously served as the administration’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, voiced her backing: “The U.S. stands strongly with our ally and partner Israel.” She continued, “May God Bless Israel & the brave IAF [Israeli Air Force] soldiers as they protect their national security and the world’s safety. I know President Trump’s top priority is protecting the American people, our brave U.S. service members, and our national security by ensuring the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program to ensure they can never develop a nuclear weapon.”
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) urged unity in support of both U.S. personnel and Israel. “I ask every American to join me in praying for the safety of U.S. personnel in the Middle East and the safety and success of Israel as it takes action against a leading state sponsor of terrorism and our shared enemy, Iran.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) underscored Iran’s long-standing hostility toward Israel and their recent violations of nuclear agreements. “Today, Israel has determined that it must take decisive action to defend the Israeli people,” he said. “The United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas. Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who leads the House Middle East subcommittee, shared insights from his recent visit to the region. “Having just visited the region two weeks ago, I support Israel’s decision to preemptively strike Iran and dismantle its nuclear program,” he said. “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons — a position the US and our allies have held for decades. Peace through strength.”
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) justified the Israeli action by citing Iran’s violation of international nuclear agreements. “Israel is justifiably defending itself and its people,” he stated. “Diplomacy has been given every opportunity, but the Iranian regime refuses to give up their nuclear ambitions. There will be peace when Iran no longer has a nuclear program, a civil one sure, and their terror armies dismantled.”
Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, lent his full support: “We stand with Israel tonight and pray for the safety of its people and the success of this unilateral, defensive action.” He added, “I am also praying for the brave U.S. service members in the Middle East who keep America safe — Iran would be foolish to attack the United States.”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) also made his stance clear: “I fully stand with the people of Israel and support her right to defend herself against Iran’s nuclear and terror programs.”
Yet not all lawmakers were on board. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called the military operation “a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.” He warned, “These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces.” Reed urged both Iran and Israel to step back and asked the Trump administration to pursue “diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) echoed those concerns and accused Israel of deliberately sabotaging ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran. He added, “we have no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe.”
Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, strongly criticized the Israeli government’s move. “Netanyahu’s reckless strike risks provoking a wider war and pulling in the United States,” he said. “Trump must oppose Netanyahu’s escalation and pursue a diplomatic path to deal with Iran’s nuclear program.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) shared her discomfort, stating, “I don’t agree often with the Trump administration, but I think here it’s important to say we need more negotiation, we need deescalation. We need to get to a deal.” She called the strikes “deeply disturbing.”
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) tried to balance support for Israel’s defense with a call for caution: “If Israel’s strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program, we’ll all be safer,” she said, while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding American lives and aiding Israel’s security efforts.
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, clarified that the U.S. was not behind the strikes, and emphasized the danger of nuclear weapons in Iranian hands. “I will say I regret that we have come to this breaking point. However, under no circumstance can Iran get its hands on a nuclear weapon,” he said. “A nuclear Iran would only embolden our adversaries and not only pose an undeniable threat to Israel, but also the United States and our Arab allies.”
Crawford added, “Iran pushed the world to this point through its blatant, relentless destabilizing behavior. Israel and others in the region have every right to take the actions needed to defend themselves. I commend the Trump Administration for its tireless efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. I am hopeful a remedy is reached sooner rather than later to stabilize this situation before the stakes get any higher.”
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), aligned with the non-interventionist bloc, voiced disapproval of the growing momentum for war. “I’m sad to say but some members of Congress and US Senators seem giddy about the prospects of a bigger war,” Davidson remarked, adding an emoji of a frowning, bandaged face.
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) warned that the strikes may have been aimed at sabotaging U.S. diplomacy with Iran. “Iran should know that any targeting of U.S. forces and personnel stationed across the Middle East in retaliation for Israel’s actions would be a grave mistake. I urge the Trump administration to ensure that the protection of our personnel is our top priority,” he said. Kim added, “Conflict should always be a last resort, especially when diplomacy is ongoing. This decision by [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu to go against American efforts and go alone in strikes puts American and Israeli lives on the line. We should do everything we can to stop this moment from spiraling into a wider conflict and bring parties back to the table to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) took direct aim at Iran’s defiance, saying the regime “had given President Trump the middle finger” on efforts to dismantle its nuclear capabilities. “Israel is acting to defend themselves, and we should stand with them.”
{Matzav.com}
