Lawmakers largely support military action against Iran
Even as several polls suggest Americans have a mixed to negative view of the American war against Iran, U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler and both of Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators have expressed support for the military strikes that started Saturday.
Reschenthaler, a Republican whose district includes all of Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, and parts of Indiana, Westmoreland and Somerset counties, said in a statement released by his office, “I strongly support President Trump and our nation’s warfighters as they carry out combat operations against the Iranian regime.”
He continued, “Since 1979, Iran has waged war against the United States. I witnessed this firsthand when I deployed to Iraq and prosecuted Iranian-backed militia groups that targeted and killed American troops during the War on Terror. Today, the regime’s nuclear ambitions, expanding ballistic missile program and continued sponsorship of terrorism pose a direct threat to the United States and our allies.”
On social media, U.S. Sen. David McCormick, also a Republican, offered his backing, pointing to its threats to Israel, its nuclear ambitions and sponsorship of terrorist groups. McCormick said, “(President Trump) has given the ayatollahs a chance for a deal, and they have rejected a path to peace and prosperity.”
Pennsylvania’s other U.S. senator, John Fetterman, has dissented from his fellow Democrats in his support for the war. On social media, Fetterman explained, “President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.”
In another post, Fetterman said, “Every member in the U.S. Senate agrees we cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. I’m baffled why so many are unwilling to support the only action to achieve that.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro has also weighed in. Though he is not a federal office holder and does not have any direct vote on the war in Iran, Shapiro is being talked about as a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. In a statement, he criticized Trump for acting unilaterally, without congressional consent.
“President Trump and his administration have not demonstrated to the American people that we have a clear plan with this mission – and by taking unilateral action, without a broad coalition of international partners, he is putting our brave service members at a greater risk and undermining our national security interests.”
Later this week, the U.S. House and Senate are expected to vote on a war powers resolution that would potentially curtail U.S. strikes against Iran unless they have congressional authorization.