Members of Congress changed plans for next week and issued statements in reaction to Iran’s attack on Israel this weekend, prompting the United States to help its ally fend off the onslaught.
The GOP-controlled House will “move from its previously announced legislative schedule next week to instead consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable,” announced Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).
“The House of Representatives stands strongly with Israel, and there must be consequences for this unprovoked attack,” Scalise added. “More details on the legislative items to be considered will be forthcoming.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said the United States must show its “full resolve” in standing with Israel against the “vicious attack” from Iran.
“I will continue to engage with the White House to insist upon a proper response,” Johnson said. “The Biden Administration’s undermining of Israel and appeasement of Iran have contributed to these terrible developments.”
The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), said, “America’s commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad and unbreakable” and declared that “Iran will not succeed. We stand with the people of Israel during this moment of significant challenge.”
In the Senate, which is led by the Democrats, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, “As Israel is under attack from Iran, we stand with Israel and its people, and the United States will do everything we can to support Israel’s defense against Iran.”
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Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called on President Joe Biden to lead an international effort to “impose sufficient costs on Tehran to compel an end to its aggression and terror.” He also urged Congress to “do its part” while alluding to a $95 billion foreign aid bill, which includes assistance for Israel, that the Senate has passed but the House has not taken up for consideration.
“The national security supplemental that has waited months for action will provide critical resources to Israel and our own military forces in the region,” McConnell said. “It will provide overdue lethal assistance to Ukraine and equip vulnerable allies and partners in Asia to deter the [People’s Republic of China]. And it will make urgent investments in our own defense industrial base.”
He continued, “We cannot hope to deter conflict without demonstrating resolve and investing seriously in American strength. The Commander-in-Chief and the Congress must discharge our fundamental duties without delay. The consequences of failure are clear, devastating, and avoidable.”
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) said, Israel “has an inherent right to defend itself against these attacks from Iran and its proxies — before, during, and after they occur. I support President Biden’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, and his Administration taking steps necessary to aid Israel in the last several days as it prepared for this attack.”
The U.S. will “continue to stand with Israel,” Cardin added. “I strongly caution Iranian regime leaders to not widen this already ill-conceived attack. Such escalation, especially targeting U.S. personnel and assets, should be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said, “Iran has encircled Israel and has been attacking our Israeli allies from almost every front for months. They have launched attacks from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, the West Bank, Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon, and of course the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.”
Cruz continued, “Now they have escalated by launching attacks directly from Iranian territory. These attacks are enabled and financed by deliberate policy choices made by Joe Biden and Biden officials, who have allowed roughly $100 billion to flow to Iran since 2021. Americans and Israelis have been made catastrophically more vulnerable by these policies.”
The Texas Republican concluded, “Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Iran has made a huge mistake in attacking America’s closest ally in the Middle East. Israel will emerge from this crisis stronger. As I have always done, I stand with Israel to do whatever it takes to defend itself.”