Beshear, Kentucky lawmakers react to U.S., Israel striking Iran

"The Islamic Republic of Iran made 'death to America; death to Israel' a central pillar of its brutal rule.

For decades, it wielded violence and repression at home and exported violence and terrorism abroad.

Today, my prayers are with the brave U.S. and Israeli service members carrying out Operation Epic Fury, and with the people of Iran who have long struggled for the right to determine their own future.

A regime that relishes killing Arabs, Israelis, Americans, and its own people deserves no sympathy."

"Well, first of all, I fully support the president's decision to support the Israelis in this operation. President Trump gave the clerics in Tehran, gave the Ayatollah, multiple opportunities, every opportunity to find an off-ramp.

I got a report yesterday that diplomacy was breaking down, that the president's red lines and demands were not being met, and we have been, and our allies have been, the victims of the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism for the last 47 years, starting with the hostage taking at our embassy in 1979.

Almost my entire life, we have dealt with the cancer of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Marines who were killed in Beirut, all of our soldiers who were killed in Iraq with the Iranian-backed militias, obviously the greatest atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, with Oct. 7th in Gaza. So, this is a scourge on humanity.

It is a massively destabilizing force in the Middle East, and I'm hopeful that the Iranian people will be able to seize the moment and change the regime and take advantage of the opportunity for a more peaceful, prosperous future.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our four deployed military service members."

"I am opposed to this War. This is not “America First.”

When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran.

The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war."

"As yet another preemptive war is begun in the Middle East, John Quincy Adam’s words of wisdom still ring true:

'Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.'

Like most Americans I have sympathy for the plight of the Iranian people and all subjected people around the globe, from North Korea to Tibet.

But as Adam’s wrote, America: 'goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.'

The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely.

Madison wrote that “the Executive Branch is the branch most prone to war, therefore, the Constitution, with studied care, delegated the war power to the legislature.”

As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission.

But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war."

"He said he would be the peace candidate. He said he would stop endless wars. HE LIED.

The American people do not want war with Iran. Congress did not authorize war with Iran."

"President Trump has made it clear time and time again, the United States will defend its people when their safety is put at risk — and Operation Epic Fury is doing just that.

Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons and the days of Iran’s bad faith negotiations and threats to our nation are over.

I pray for the safety of our men and women in the United States Military, President Trump and for a decisive victory against the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran."