BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Local leaders in our region are reacting to the breaking news overnight of the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
We will continue to update this story as more statements come in.
VERMONT:
U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.): “President Trump’s unilateral decision to go to war with Iran is reckless and wrong. I share my concern with all Vermonters about the well-being of our troops, who will now be in harm’s way. Our hopes and prayers are with them and their families for their safety.
“The Iran regime is a threat to its own people, violently killing thousands of its citizens for protesting; a threat to the region, where it supports violent proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas; and a potential global threat as it seeks to acquire nuclear weapons.
“There are many more questions than answers after this attack: First, President Trump has not told the American people why he is abandoning the diplomatic approach he said he preferred and starting military action. Is it to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, which he said was already obliterated after the Operation Midnight Hammer attack? Is it for regime change? If so, can that be accomplished by bombing alone or does the president intend to put American boots on the ground to finish the job? And then what happens? Our past attempts at regime change in the Middle East have been costly failures.
“Donald Trump said he was running for president to end wars, not start them. We have seen how regime change wars—Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya—are easy to start but hard and costly to end. And when they do end there is more, not less, regional instability.
“President Trump has initiated this war. It is a war of choice. The president owes it to the American people to come to Congress and explain his objectives and his justification. He has done neither.
“The United States Senate must immediately reconvene to take up the War Powers Resolution put forward by Senator Kaine and Senator Paul. Congress has a duty under Article I of the Constitution to be the branch that authorizes whether the United States will go to war.”
NEW YORK:
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.): “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 war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home.
“The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy.
“The administration must brief Congress, including an immediate all senators classified briefing and in public testimony, to answer these vital questions. The Senate should quickly return to session and reassert its constitutional duty by passing our resolution to enforce the War Powers Act.
“My prayers are with our brave American servicemembers.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.): “I came to Congress in opposition to endless wars. Trump’s actions today risk exactly that again.
“Congress should return to session immediately to vote on a war powers resolution.
“The president lacks the constitutional authority – and in my opinion, the temperament and judgment – to act in such a reckless fashion.
“I pray for the safety and well-being of our brave service members and American families in the region.
“America voted for lower costs, not forever wars.”
U.S. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.): “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 sponsor of terror and has targeted, killed, and wounded U.S. service members and civilians throughout the Middle East over the past decades including soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division. Additionally, the sick Iran regime controlled by the blood-thirsty ayatollah terrorists have destroyed a nation, continued to pursue nuclear weapons threatening America and all of humanity, slaughtered innocent Iranians, and shed blood across the Middle East including Americans.
I know President Trump has to make some of the most difficult decisions imaginable and there is no decision more serious that military action to protect our national security and American lives.
“God Bless our brave men and women in uniform. The American people are praying for your safety,”
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH): “I join all Americans in praying for the U.S. service members who are in harm’s way today, a day on which President Trump recklessly and unilaterally decided to enter our country into another foreign war.
“The Iranian regime is one of the world’s largest state sponsors of terrorism, and it poses a threat to its own people, the security of our country, and the security of our allies around the world. But confronting this threat, and keeping our service members safe in the process, requires the support of the American people through coordination with Congress, which has the sole power to declare war under our system of government.
“Today’s strikes against Iran were launched by the President without any pretense of seeking — much less obtaining — the consent of the American people through their representatives in Congress. His failure to follow the Constitution in this regard increases uncertainty, creates disunity at home and abroad, and ultimately weakens us. Now, our country is engaged in a war of unknown length, with potentially enormous and far-reaching consequences. President Trump’s action will likely destabilize the region, may well undermine America’s security, and puts the lives of our troops at great risk.
“While the situation is evolving quickly, based on the limited information that the Administration has provided, I have deep concerns about President Trump’s decision to go to war.
“Our country should only go to war as a last resort, when all other options to protect our security and freedom have been exhausted. And to sustain and win a war requires an informed and unified public at home as well as strong and healthy international alliances. Rather than ensure that both of these fundamental conditions are met, President Trump has recklessly rushed to war.”
