US Congress: Bipartisan members discuss Israel-Iran conflict

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate resumed its session on Tuesday (June 17) after a recess, with bipartisan lawmakers speaking out on the conflict between Israel and Iran, with some expressing support for striking Iran and others suggesting caution in U.S. involvement in the conflict. Lawmakers from both parties are eager to understand the extent of U.S. involvement in the conflict and the risks it poses.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz from Texas said on the social media platform X that Iran's failure to completely dismantle its nuclear centrifuges has led to the current situation in Iran, which he stressed is a red line for President Donald Trump.

"Iran has publicly stated that they will not (dismantle centrifuges). This is a huge 'middle finger' to President Trump," Cruz wrote.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia is seeking to ensure that Congress has a say before the United States gets involved in "another endless conflict" in the Middle East. He introduced a resolution on Monday calling on Congress to debate and vote on the matter before sending U.S. troops to strike Iran.

Kaine said in a statement that "it is not in our national security interest to go to war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States."

"I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly drag the United States into another endless conflict. The American people have no interest in sending soldiers to the Middle East to fight another endless war."

"This resolution will ensure that if we decide to put our soldiers in danger, we will debate and vote on it in Congress," Kaine added.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of West Virginia announced Monday evening that he plans to introduce "a bipartisan war powers resolution" on Tuesday to prohibit the United States from intervening in the Israel-Iraq war.

"This is not our war. But if it is, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. I will introduce a bipartisan war powers resolution tomorrow to prohibit us from intervening. I invite all members of Congress to co-sponsor this resolution." Massie announced in a post on X.

Lindsey Graham, a senior U.S. senator from South Carolina, said on the X platform that Trump had "made an extra effort" to seek peace between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Iran, but "you have to have partners who are willing to work together to achieve peace."