Nevada lawmakers react to U.S. military operations in Iran

"Iran has long been a threat to the United States, Israel, and any hope of peace in the Middle East. They must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. As all operations for diplomacy have been rejected by Iran, I pray for the safety of our US Service Members, our allied troops, and for a swift resolution following Operation Epic Fury.

I am closely monitoring the developments in Iran along with senior state officials and law enforcement agencies. Right now, my priority is the safety of all Nevadans. Increased police presence may be seen at certain locations as we continue to monitor and synchronize with partners as the situation evolves."

"The Iranian regime has sponsored terrorism across the Middle East and brutally oppressed and killed tens of thousands of its citizens. The people of Iran deserve better. However, this Administration has repeatedly shown it is willing to ignore Congress and use military power without any clear objectives, an end game, or an exit strategy.

I support voting on a war powers resolution immediately. President Trump continues to put service members in danger and he must give the American people full transparency about his plans to confront the Iranian regime without dragging us into another costly and dangerous war."

"My prayers are with our servicemembers carrying out this mission. Their safety must come first, and they deserve absolute clarity of purpose and the full support of the nation they serve.

The American people have been clear: they do not want another prolonged conflict overseas. If there is a compelling and urgent justification for placing American troops in harm’s way in a potential war with Iran, the President has a constitutional obligation to present that case to Congress and to the American people. That has not happened.

Congress must be fully briefed, meaningfully consulted, and allowed to vote on a war powers resolution so every Member can state clearly where they stand as required under the Constitution and consistent with the War Powers Resolution. The American people deserve transparency, accountability, and a clear strategy before any further escalation."

"Military escalation against Iran is not abut nuclear non-proliferation, arms control, or protecting the Iranian people — if it were, President Trump would not have torn up the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement. This is an attempt to launch a long-sought after, ill-conceived regine change war that will destabilize Iran as well as the entire Middle East with millions of people being displaced and forced to flee.

The U.S. has a dark history of regime change in Iran with the CIA overthrowing the democratically elected Prime Minister in 1953. This caused long-term resentment in Iran toward both the United States and the Iranian government that was installed. It is widely considered that this intervention was a contributor to the 1979 Islamic Revolution that led to the brutal, autocratic Iranian regime we see today.

I am concerned that this Administration is repeating history, threatening a protracted regional war that could upend the security of our partners in the region, and throwing the future of Iran into turmoil and uncertainty while putting U.S. service members' lives in jeopardy. The Trump Administration has failed to make a compelling case for war with Iran to Congress of the American People. I look forward to voting for the Iran War Powers Resolution on the House Floor next week."

"I am grateful for our brave men and women who are conducting Operation Epic Fury and am praying for those servicemembers who are under attack across the region. The White House must immediately provide all of Congress with a detailed, classified briefing on this operation and its long-term strategy, including how it intends to prevent instability across the region.

I’ve always believed that Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon – especially because the Iranian regime is fully committed to the destruction of the U.S. and Israel. At the same time, Iran’s support for ballistic missiles and terrorist proxies are some of the leading national security threats to the U.S., Israel, and the region. The Iranian regime and its proxies have blood on their hands from the thousands of American and IDF troops who they have killed and wounded, and the many others who now sit in harm’s way.

As we have seen in the recent violent crackdowns on Iranian protestors that have killed tens of thousands of innocent people, the regime has no hesitation in ruthlessly punishing its own citizens, who have suffered for so many decades under their government’s cruelty. I stand with the Iranian people in their hope for a better future and will continue to work in a bipartisan way in Congress to provide them the support they need to access critical information that aids their efforts for freedom and defend against and document human rights violations. Likewise, my support for Israel and for ensuring it has what it needs to protect itself from attacks by Iran and its proxies remains ironclad.

At the same time, I am concerned that the President’s approach to armed conflict over the past year and his Administration’s history of repeatedly withholding information and misleading Congress could lead us into another protracted Middle East conflict, without authorization from Congress. The American people are wary of prolonged military engagements abroad, especially when the objectives are unclear. That is why the Constitution is clear that only Congress has the ability to declare war and authorize the use of military force.

I will continue to stand with and pray for the safety of our troops, personnel, and Americans across the region."