US Republican lawmakers are weighing in on President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune threw cold water on a quick Senate vote to greenlight US action on Iran, saying that at the moment, “the president’s within his authorities” to act.
Pressed on whether Congress should get a say in any US military strikes on Iran, Thune argued, “We’re getting the cart ahead of the horse here,” but he didn’t rule out future congressional involvement down the line.
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Trump needs to make a decision “fairly soon” on providing assistance to Israel. Earlier, CNN reported Graham personally urged Trump in a phone call to go “all in” to end Iran’s nuclear program, including using the might of the US military.
“I said, ‘Mr. President, this is a historic moment. Four presidents have promised that they won’t get a nuclear weapon on your watch. You can fulfill that promise,” Graham said, recalling his conversation when Trump called him on Monday.
“If it takes bombs, bunker buster bombs, so be it. If we need to fly with Israel, so be it. The consequences of not getting this right are enormous,” Graham added.
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch said he thinks Trump “has done a masterful job of threading a very, very difficult needle.” He also insisted that Trump is consulting with experts in Congress, and he noted the president is being constantly briefed “regularly and frequently and all day every day.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville also argued that Congress does need to have a say in any military action against Iran, but he said he trusts Trump will consult them. “We should have some say so about it, especially if it’s in — involves possible World War Three, which it could. This is getting very touchy over there,” he said.
