The recent U.S. bombing of nuclear sites in Iran has ignited a wave of condemnation from Washington’s Democratic delegation, who argue that the attack was unconstitutional and poses unforeseeable consequences.
In stark contrast, Washington’s two Republican Congress members voiced their support for President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to strike.
Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated, “We can all agree that Iran should never possess a nuclear weapon. But the American people do not want to begin a war with Iran, and Trump does not have the unilateral authority to start one.”
Murray emphasized the importance of congressional oversight, urging the Trump administration to provide intelligence and seek approval from Congress before launching such military actions.
“It is critical that Congress ask important questions before approval — Congress needs to understand what intelligence the administration is acting upon, what the goal is, what the endgame is, and whether we have built an international coalition of support,” she added. “None of this happened.”
Similarly, Senator Maria Cantwell expressed a desire for the U.S. to work closely with allies to prevent escalating tensions in the Middle East, advocating for Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority to manage issues of war and trade.
“Diplomacy and alliance building are the only long-term solutions that will bring about an enduring peace and prosperity in the Middle East,” Cantwell declared in a post on X.
Progressive members of Washington’s House Democrats echoed these sentiments.
Representative Pramila Jayapal voiced her concerns over the potential for extended military conflict resulting from the attacks, stating, “Trump’s unconstitutional and escalatory strikes risk drawing U.S. troops and the American people — who are overwhelmingly opposed — into another forever war.”
Jayapal also urged Congress to take immediate action to rein in the President’s military authority.
Furthermore, Representative Kim Schrier warned that the bombing could lead to “widespread consequences that we cannot predict.”
In the wake of the U.S. strike, Iran retaliated with a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar, which President Trump described as a “very weak response.”
Contrastingly, members of Washington’s Republican delegation praised the airstrikes, with Representative Michael Baumgartner commending the military’s operational execution.
“This is a scenario that has been rehearsed for a long time, but it was still a challenging feat to pull off,” Baumgartner stated in a post on X.
Representative Dan Newhouse described the strikes as “decisive,” blaming Iran for its continued nuclear program.
“I stand with our ally Israel as we work together to end this dangerous regime’s efforts towards a nuclear weapon of mass destruction,” Newhouse added. “Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.”
Following the bombing, officials from the Trump administration appeared on Sunday talk shows to clarify America’s position.
Vice President J.D. Vance stated on “Meet the Press” that the U.S. is not seeking prolonged military engagement or regime change in Iran.
“We want to end their nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement,” Vance said.
On “Face the Nation,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated that the future course relies on Iran’s decisions.
“If they choose the path of diplomacy, we’re ready. We can do a deal that’s good for them, the Iranian people, and good for the world,” Rubio remarked. “If they choose another route, then there’ll be consequences.”
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