Lawmakers across the country react to U.S. and Israel striking Iran
(KYMA, NBC) - Lawmakers across the country are sharing their reaction to the U.S. and Israel launching a strike against Iran Saturday.
Following the strike, President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to "seize control of your destiny" and rise up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979.
Iran responded to the latest strikes as it had been threatening to do for months, first launching a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has issued the following statement regarding the strike:
"After promising to keep America out of war and instead focus on lowering costs for families, Donald Trump has launched a large-scale military operation against Iran.
We've seen this playbook before. Weeks of inflated claims, selective facts, and talk of imminent threats that led the American people into a war that cost thousands of American lives and trillions of taxpayer dollars.
The United States has the most capable military in the world. I have complete confidence in our service members, and I'm praying for their safety. The question is never whether they can do the mission. It's whether the mission makes sense and makes us safer—and what it's going to cost.
The Iranian people deserve freedom. They deserve the right to choose their own leaders. So, what's the plan for what comes next? I don't think Donald Trump knows the answer, and that's dangerous when American lives are on the line.
When I launched on my first combat mission during Operation Desert Storm 35 years ago, I understood the mission and the end goal. So did Congress. So did the American people. That's the minimum level of leadership this country deserves. And Donald Trump has failed again at that.
The Senate needs to come back to Washington immediately and do its Constitutional duty."
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) also issued a statement following the strike:
"This decision to strike Iran without Congressional approval stands in stark contrast to a President who promised to put Americans first and end foreign wars. At a time when millions of hardworking families face higher costs of living and skyrocketing health care to pay for tax breaks for billionaires, Donald Trump is now pushing the country toward a war that risks American lives without presenting a clear justification to the American people or any plan to prevent escalation and chaos in the region.
The Iranian regime has oppressed its own people, and its state sponsored terrorism and nuclear ambitions pose significant risks to the safety of Americans and regional stability. We must work with our allies to counter those threats. Regardless of what the President may think or say, he does not enjoy a blank check to launch large-scale military operations without a clear strategy, without any transparency or public debate, and not without Congressional approval.
The Constitution is clear, and Republican members of Congress must join us in holding this administration accountable and restoring Congress's role in foreign policy."
In a post to X, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, "God bless @POTUS for planning and now executing Operation Epic Fury," going on to say that his "mind is racing with the thought that the Ayatollah's regime in Iran will soon be no more," calling it the "biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also posted to X saying in part, "The Gang of Eight was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran."
Other lawmakers also shared their reaction to the U.S. and Israel launching a strike against Iran:
I lost friends in Iraq to an illegal war. Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn’t been explained or justified to the American people.
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) February 28, 2026
We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our… https://t.co/wEGUCekIZs
For years, the Iranian Regime has chanted “Death to America,” targeted our troops, weaponized their terrorist proxies, and killed tens of thousands of innocent people, including Americans. Today, President Trump made it clear: their reign of terror is over.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 28, 2026
The President has…
Trump has launched an illegal regime change war in Iran with American lives at risk. Congress must convene on Monday to vote on @RepThomasMassie & my WPR to stop this. Every member of Congress should go on record this weekend on how they will vote. pic.twitter.com/tlRi3Vz849
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) February 28, 2026
This is a bold, decisive act of strength by President Trump. The Ayatollah is responsible for killing hundreds of U.S. service members and slaughtering its own people. We pray that because of this leadership, the U.S. and the world will be a safer place. May God bless and protect… https://t.co/9o7WyBvbgC
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) February 28, 2026
Donald Trump promised to keep America out of costly and endless foreign wars.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 28, 2026
He is now doing the exact opposite in the Middle East.
Congress must vote on a War Powers resolution immediately. pic.twitter.com/MLrFZa5wtP
For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory, and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies. Despite the…
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) February 28, 2026
When I talked to Secretary Rubio, I implored him to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of these strikes and what comes next. Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly…
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 28, 2026
With the Launch of “Operation Epic Fury” Against Iran, Justice is Being Served Against the World’s Leading State Sponsor of Terrorism. Our Prayers are with America’s Sailors, Marines, Airmen and All Our Soldiers Across the Region and Our Cherished Ally Israel. May God Grant Our…
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) February 28, 2026
My statement on the Trump Administration’s War with Iran: https://t.co/kfFMVLbPDU pic.twitter.com/SElFR4b3rK
— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) February 28, 2026
As a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Select Committee on Intelligence, I have always been consistent that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons capabilities that would threaten the national security of the United States. Iran is the world’s largest…
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) February 28, 2026
Trump is drawing our country into yet another foreign war that Americans don’t want and Congress has not authorized.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) February 28, 2026
The Iranian regime is a brutal and murderous dictatorship. But that does not give Trump the authority to unilaterally initiate a war of choice.
Congress…
History will record this night.
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) February 28, 2026
America and Israel did not flinch and did not negotiate with darkness.
President Trump understood what the weak could not bring themselves to say: that peace is not found in appeasement - it is won.
The Iranian people have bled for their… pic.twitter.com/qc4XvUxihp
President Trump’s decision to initiate military hostilities into Iran starts another unnecessary war which endangers our servicemembers and destabilizes an already fragile region.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 28, 2026
The Constitution is clear: decisions that lead our nation into war must be authorized by Congress.
I am proud of President @realDonaldTrump for standing up to evil and for my parents who will not leave Israel and abandon their post. I believe God put them there for such a time as this, and am inspired by their faith and courage. May God bless our President, our amazing… https://t.co/l16RxDNuQ8
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) February 28, 2026
Statement from Rep. Ilhan Omar on Trump’s Illegal War on Iran:
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) February 28, 2026
“President Trump is unilaterally dragging this nation into an illegal and unjustified war with Iran without congressional authorization, without a clear objective, and without any imminent threat to the United…
.@POTUS has unleashed Operation Epic Fury on the brutal Iranian regime.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) February 28, 2026
He has called for all combatants to put down their weapons and receive amnesty.
The @USTreasury reaffirms our commitment to President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign tracking all illegal funds moved… https://t.co/afVQaWry4g
The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go. But that does not justify the President of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends…
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) February 28, 2026
President @realDonaldTrump has acted decisively against Iran's nuclear threat and terrorism.
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) February 28, 2026
Our troops are now executing Operation Epic Fury. Erika and I pray for their safety and success.
Peace is achieved through strength, not weakness. I stand with President Trump, our…
Operation Epic Fury.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 28, 2026
President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.
God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.
I am opposed to this War.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 28, 2026
This is not “America First.”
When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran.
The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.
Trump has launched an unnecessary, idiotic, and illegal war against Iran that puts America’s servicemembers and embassy personnel at risk. I’m calling on Congress to immediately return to vote on my War Powers Resolution that blocks war with Iran without congressional approval. pic.twitter.com/lJ2fOElCRM
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) February 28, 2026
In a dangerous world we must stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies against the suicidal regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran. America First does not mean America alone.
— Abe Hamadeh (@AbrahamHamadeh) February 28, 2026
God bless our brave military men and women conducting combat operations and those in the region. 🇺🇸
Americans woke up this morning to news that the U.S. and Israel have started major military action against Iran.
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) February 28, 2026
Unlike the U.S. strike on Iran back in June, this operation doesn’t appear to be a one-and-done, so we’re thinking about the safety of our servicemembers and their…
This is NOT freeing the Iranian people!!!
— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) February 28, 2026
This is murdering their children!!!
WTF are you insane people doing???
AMERICA DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS!!! https://t.co/YrkN5yrOKb
In America, we don’t allow one doddering, self obsessed old man to waste our money on a dangerous, disastrous overseas war.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 28, 2026
No, in America the people decide if we go to war. Congress needs to be reconvened today to rein in an out of control President who thinks he is a king. pic.twitter.com/gP8zcVqClM
Please join House Republicans in praying for the American troops - the greatest history has ever known - who are fighting for freedom right now. May you be protected from harm and may your mission deliver true and lasting liberty. God bless our troops.
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) February 28, 2026
My thoughts are with all U.S. service members and personnel in harm’s way, and I pray they return home safely.
— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) February 28, 2026
The Iranian regime has murdered Americans, violently repressed its own people, and fueled instability across the region. No one will mourn its collapse.
But the United…
May God bless the Armed Forces of the United States and the long-suffering people of Iran. pic.twitter.com/aLbZRbNlQu
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) February 28, 2026
