Within the wake of the “huge” strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel Saturday, members of Congress have begun weighing in — with Democrats demanding solutions, some calling for lawmakers to return to Washington to vote on resolutions that may examine President Donald Trump’s energy to wage conflict.
Republicans have to this point praised Trump’s determination to undertake “huge fight operations” in opposition to Iran, with a watch in the direction of liberating the Iranian folks.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., considered one of Trump’s most ardent supporters, mentioned in a publish on X “the top of the biggest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us” and celebrated “freedom” for the Iranian folks.
“My thoughts is racing with the thought that the murderous ayatollah’s regime in Iran will quickly be no extra,” he mentioned in one other publish. “The largest change within the Center East in a thousand years is upon us.”
Senate Majority Chief John Thune applauded the president’s strikes on Iran and recommended the “bravery” of U.S. service members.
“Regardless of the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that may peacefully resolve these nationwide safety considerations,” Thune mentioned.
Speaker Mike Johnson, who was briefed forward of the strikes on Iran, mentioned he’s in “shut contact” with President Trump and the administration because the “operation proceeds.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out to some members of the so-called Gang of 8 to inform them of the operation in Iran earlier than it was underway, a number of congressional workplaces confirmed to ABC Information.
Members of the Gang of 8 embrace the highest bipartisan Home and Senate leaders and the chairs and rating members of the Home and Senate intelligence committees.
President Donald Trump delivers the primary State of the Union handle of his second time period to a joint session of Congress within the Home Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026.
Jessica Koscielniak, Pool through AFP through Getty Photographs
On Tuesday of this week, hours forward of the president’s State of the Union handle, Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe nearly briefed the Gang of 8 on Capitol Hill on Iran.
Instantly following the briefing, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer instructed reporters: “That is critical, and the administration has to make its case to the American folks.”
Home Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican briefed forward of the strikes in Iran, mentioned the president’s transfer was justified.
“Previous to the initiation of this motion, in earnest diplomatic engagements with Iran, President Trump was very clear about his purple line from the beginning and his expectations of Iran throughout these negotiations. Iran completely can’t be allowed to take care of a nuclear weapon or capabilities,” he mentioned in an announcement posted on X. “The security and safety of People and our allies are on the road.”
The highest Democrat on the Home Intelligence Committee, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, mentioned he’s praying for U.S. service members however emphasizes, “the whole lot I’ve heard from the Administration earlier than and after these strikes on Iran confirms this can be a conflict of alternative with no strategic endgame.”
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine appeared on “Good Morning America” to debate the talk efficiency of his working mate, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia is asking on the Senate to return to Washington instantly to vote on a conflict powers decision to examine the president’s authority to wage conflict with Iran.
“Has President Trump realized nothing from a long time of U.S. meddling in Iran and eternally wars within the Center East?” Kaine mentioned in an announcement.
“These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they don’t price our little children in uniform and at embassies all through the area their lives,” he added.
“The Senate ought to instantly return to session and vote on my Battle Powers Decision to dam the usage of U.S. forces in hostilities in opposition to Iran. Each single Senator must go on the document about this harmful, pointless, and idiotic motion,” he mentioned.
It is thought-about not possible Republican management will heed Kaine’s name to motion.
Kaine’s conflict powers decision is co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Senate Minority Chief Schumer. Earlier within the week, Kaine mentioned he would push for a vote within the Senate as quickly as subsequent week.
Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries mentioned Home Democrats are “dedicated” to driving a conflict powers decision vote subsequent week when the Home returns.
“Donald Trump failed to hunt Congressional authorization previous to hanging Iran. As an alternative, the President’s determination to desert diplomacy and launch an enormous army assault has left American troops susceptible to Iran’s retaliatory actions,” Jeffries mentioned in an announcement.
Each efforts within the Home and Senate will obtain some bipartisan assist, but it surely’s unclear if they are going to have sufficient votes to really go each chambers.
As strikes have been underway on Saturday, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., mentioned that after the “Iranian regime has slaughtered hundreds of its personal folks in current days,” the assault on Iran needs to be a warning to despotic regimes.
“Tyrants and terrorists in every single place ought to take word: the world is watching. Historical past is watching,” Mace wrote on X.
Notably Sen. John Fetterman, D.-Pa., mentioned he believed Trump was making the fitting transfer.
“President Trump has been keen to do what’s proper and needed to supply actual peace within the area. God bless the US, our nice army, and Israel,” Fetterman wrote in an X publish.
However different Democrats demanded a proof for the strikes, like Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a veteran, who lamented the motion.
“I misplaced buddies in Iraq to an unlawful conflict. Younger working-class children mustn’t pay the last word value for regime change and a conflict that hasn’t been defined or justified to the American folks,” he wrote on X.
Others known as for a full briefing and a vote on a proposed conflict powers decision that may restrict Trump’s energy.Rep. Jared Moskowitz demanded a briefing.
“This can be a critical second that calls for full transparency and congressional oversight,” Moskowitz, D-Fla., wrote on X.
