On early Sunday, the United States launched attacks on three locations in Iran, intervening in Israel’s conflict focused on eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat program.
Since the action, multiple Virginia lawmakers have responded with mixed opinions.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin posted on X, “President Donald J. Trump meant what he has said over and over again: Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. Promises made, promises kept.”
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) posted on x, “The Bust Administration lied to America about Iraq’s nuclear program to rush us into war in 2003. Have we learned nothing from that disastrous episode?”
In a lengthy statement shared online, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said, “President Trump came into office promising to ‘end the endless foreign wars.’ Tonight he took steps that could drag the United States into another one, without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what’s at stake.
” There is no question that Iran poses a serious threat to regional stability, and the United States must remain unwavering in our commitment to Israel’s security and in ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. But launching direct military strikes without authorization from or consultation with Congress raises urgent questions: What is the president’s objective? How is the measuring success? And what’s the plan to prevent this from dragging our country into another open-ended conflict in the Middle East that costs American lives and resources for years to come?
“The Constitution makes clear that the power to authorize war lies with Congress. There are more than 40,000 U.S. servicemembers deployed across the region, as well as American diplomats, contractors, and aid workers, and the safety of our presonnel must be paramount. With American liveas and our national security on the line, any action that could drae the United States intoa. broader conflict demands transparency, accountability, and a clear strategy. So far, the president has offered none of those.”
“The American people deserve more than vague rhetoric and unilateral decision that could set off a wider war. The president must come before Congress immediately to articulate clear strategic objectives and lay out how he plans to protect American lives and ensure we are nore once again drawn into a costly, unnecessary, and avoidable conflict,” he concluded.
