Pennsylvania, NJ lawmakers react to U.S.-Israel joint strike on Iran
Sens. Fetterman and McCormick praised the attack, while some members of Congress criticized it.
By Saturday morning, when many Americans were waking to the news that the U.S. and Israel had launched a missile attack on Iran, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), had already spoken in support of the bombings.
“Operation Epic Fury,” Fetterman said on X at 4:18 a.m. “President Donald 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,” Fetterman said.
The missile strikes were focused on the home of Iran’s leader and a number of targets in Tehran and other cities. President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to take over the government and put an end to the country’s decades of theocratic rule.
The possibility of such an attack was anticipated for weeks as tensions rose between Iran and Israel and the U.S. positioned warships in the region.
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), said he is praying for U.S. troops and allies “during this challenging and noble mission.”
“For decades, the Iranian regime has killed Americans, threatened Israel and our allies in the region with their ballistic missiles and nuclear ambitions, and butchered tens of thousands of its own people,” McCormick said on X.
“The president has given the ayatollahs a chance for a deal, and they have rejected a path to peace and prosperity,” McCormick added.
McCormick noted earlier this week that Iranian citizens have been embroiled in protests against its government in recent weeks. The government responded with an internet blackout and violent crackdown. More than 7,000 citizens have died as a result of the crackdown, according to a U.S.-based human rights agency.
McCormick, an Army veteran of the first Gulf War, added that people in the U.S. are distrustful of prolonged military operations overseas.
Both McCormick and Fetterman have spoken in support of a strong U.S. backing of Israel, and like many lawmakers have received campaign donations from pro-Israel lobbying groups such as American Israel Public Affairs Committee, according to a political group, critical of U.S. support for Israel, that tracks such public spending.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Chester), an Air Force veteran, said the attack lacks a clear explanation or new threat posed to the U.S.
“Make no mistake, Iran is a very bad actor on the world stage, and has been for a long time, but the American people have not been given any evidence of any appreciable change and Congress did not authorize any action,” Houlahan said in an emailed statement.
“President Trump, who promised no wars, is now again putting the lives of our men and women in uniform in grave danger all while trampling all over the Constitution,” Houlahan said.
The Trump administration’s strike was initiated without a vote from Congress. Houlahan said that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes next week, a move she believes is to prevent floor time for people to weigh in on the attack.
“Speaker Johnson has forfeited Congress’s authority, rendering Congress and the Constitution immaterial,” Houlahan said. “Now we will all pay the price, whatever that is.”
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Bucks), said Congress needs to have a say in any further military actions in Iran.
“The American people deserve clarity of mission, defined objectives, and disciplined oversight,” said Fitzpatrick, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee and chairman of the Central Intelligence Agency Subcommittee.
Fitzpatrick called Iran “the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism” and said it cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey called for an immediate return to Congress to vote on whether the U.S. should be at war.
“It’s just very clear that the American people don’t want this,” Kim posted to social media on Saturday.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Philadelphia), also criticized the attack.
“The regime in Iran is evil and poses a serious threat,” Boyle said in an emailed statement. “But no president can unilaterally launch a war. Any use of force that risks dragging us into war must be debated and authorized by Congress. The American people want lower costs and affordable health care, not yet another costly foreign war.”
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, (D., Philadelphia) said the House and Senate should vote on a war powers resolution “to stop Trump’s reckless warmongering.”
“After claiming last June he ‘completely and totally obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear program, President Trump launched yet another illegal, ill-conceived attack on Iran,” Evans said in an emailed statement. “These escalations only put American lives, at home and abroad, at greater risk and drag our country towards another endless war.”
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement that as a precautionary measure, law enforcement would increase patrols at houses of worship and other sensitive sites.
“My office is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, Israel, and elsewhere in the Middle East,” Sherrill said, adding that there was no known threat to the state.
And the Philadelphia Police Department said it was monitoring developments overseas.
“While there are no credible threats to Philadelphia, we’ve increased patrols at religious & cultural sites out of caution,” police said.