Congress offers reactions to direct US involvement in Iran-Israel conflict, mostly along party lines

House and Senate members on Saturday night reacted mostly along party lines to President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States had struck three of Iran's crucial nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. 
 

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., posted to X, "Let there be no doubt, we will defend our ally Israel, our other partners in the region, and our military and diplomatic personnel." Emphasizing what the United States' posture would be if retaliation were to occur he said, "Iran should understand that there will be grave consequences for any actions they take in response to this justified strike on their nuclear facilities."

In a show of bipartisan support, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., commended the president and posted to his X account: "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." 

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., hinted that authorization was necessary and told his X audience, "Trump struck Iran without any authorization of Congress. We need to immediately return to DC and vote on @RepThomasMassie and my War Powers Resolution to prevent America from being dragged into another endless Middle East war." 

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., called the strike the "right call" and "necessary." He went on to say, "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."

Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, credited Trump's leadership and that as a result, "our military carried out successful strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites tonight. Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism & President Trump made it clear: Iran can never have a path to a nuclear weapon. Now they won’t."

Reposting Trump's original announcement with his own caption, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-N.C., posted to his X profile, "President Trump’s bold leadership didn’t just defend democracy around the world — it helped save it. God bless the USA."