You would think that with the escalation of violence in the Middle East and the potential of the US being dragged by Israel into a war in Iran, our elected officials would be putting out messages every day about the need to stop this. You would think that with elections coming up, they would want to echo public opinion, which favors not only a ceasefire but also an end to the US arming of Israel. With the devastation of Hurricane Helene and FEMA saying it doesn’t have the funds to cope with these disasters, you would think our elected officials would be putting out statements saying we should be funding disaster recovery in the US, not bombing people overseas.
Here are some recent statements we have found on the official websites, twitter feeds or in articles. A few are pretty good (Cori Bush’s statement is the best!), many are mediocre, and some downright awful.
Please contact your officials and ask them to either put out statements if they haven’t already, or make better ones!
Call U.S. Capitol Switchboard Now!
House of Representatives
Rep. Cori Bush 👍🏽 👍🏽
“So much of this violence and more could have been prevented if our government had the moral foresight and clarity to invest in peace and diplomacy instead of violence and war (...) Despite its hollow rhetoric and false assurances, the Biden administration has given far-right, genocidal, and maniacal Netanyahu the green light to act with impunity, fueling a year-long genocidal campaign that has already claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. Even when it became glaringly obvious that the Israeli government was using weapons purchased and manufactured by the United States to commit war crimes, violate U.S. and international law, and spur a humanitarian crisis–the U.S. didn’t stop sending weapons, it doubled down. More bombs. More troops. More blood on our hands. This isn’t only a failure of leadership; it is active complicity (...) To the President of the United States, I ask: how many lives must be taken for you to finally say no more?”
Read the Statement on Escalating Violence in the Middle East
Rep. Greg Casar
“Americans do not want to be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East. We cannot continue putting civilians at escalating risk, and we cannot support putting our U.S. service members at risk. Americans and the White House are clear that immediate de-escalation and a ceasefire must be implemented immediately. (...) The U.S. must use our significant leverage, including withholding offensive weapons to the Israeli military, to avert a disastrous regional war with Lebanon and end Netanyahu’s bombardment of Gaza. Too many Palestinian, Israeli, and Lebanese civilians have been killed by this violence.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) cautioned against an Israeli response: “A constant cycle of retaliation doesn’t make anyone in the region safer. Israel has a right to defend itself, but our shared goal should be avoiding a catastrophic regional war.
Rep. Barbara Lee
I am deeply horrified by the escalation of violence in the Middle East, including Iran's attack on Israel. Violence does not make the world any safer, and we must save and protect civilian lives. This includes lives in Israel, in Lebanon, in Iran, in Gaza, and throughout the region. From the beginning of this war, it has been clear that a ceasefire and hostage deal is the key to resolving this conflict. An escalation of violence will only lead to a much wider war that will increase the number of civilian casualties across the Middle East. It will also lead to an increase of displacement and terror. The Biden administration must use all available leverage and tools of diplomacy to help end this conflict as quickly as possible and help achieve peace and security in the region.
Rep. Jim McGovern
“I worry about a much wider war that will increase the number of civilian casualties in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and throughout the region, and where the U.S. is more directly involved,” he said on social media following the Iranian attack. “U.S. military aid to the Netanyahu government continues to violate our own laws, and that must stop. The Biden administration must use all available leverage to end this conflict as quickly as possible. All parties must agree to an immediate ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access, and the hostages must be released.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib
“Our district is home to one of the largest, most vibrant Lebanese communities in the nation. While our families mourn the ongoing genocide in Gaza, they are now witnessing the Israeli government’s indiscriminate bombing of Lebanon. Our community is in so much pain as our neighbors watch their loved ones being slaughtered in Lebanon. We are already receiving desperate calls from our residents asking for help finding their loved ones or evacuating their family members who have nowhere to go.
“The Biden-Harris administration continues to allow Netanyahu and the Israeli government to operate with impunity as they carry out war crimes. After facing no red line in Gaza, in an attempt to remain in power, Netanyahu is now expanding his genocidal campaign to Lebanon, using the same tactics the Biden-Harris administration has endorsed. We have already seen indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. We have seen Israeli officials falsely declare that Lebanon isn’t a state, and that Israel has a right to invade and occupy it. The same U.S. weapons being used to kill innocent civilians in Gaza have already claimed the lives of over 500 people in Lebanon, including over 50 children, and have injured thousands more civilians.
“Deploying more U.S. troops and sending more U.S. bombs will only lead to more suffering and carnage. The Biden-Harris administration is capable of stopping the bloodshed. President Biden must implement an immediate arms embargo to end the slaughter and de-escalate the risk of a wider regional war.”
Rep. Ro Khanna 👎🏽
Rep. Dan Kildee
“I strongly condemn this attack by Iran against Israel. The United States must continue to stand with our ally, Israel, as it defends itself from these heinous attacks. These acts of aggression only serve to escalate an already dangerous situation in the Middle East. “The United States must continue working alongside Israel and our partners to prevent a broader regional war. I support continued diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and help deescalate tensions across the region.”
Rep. Mike Lawler
"May God watch over the people of Israel in this challenging time and keep them safe," said Congressman Lawler. "Now, President Biden and the United States must consider all options available in response to this attack." (...) "The time for appeasement of the Ayatollah and his regime of terror is over," continued Congressman Lawler. "This is a battle between good and evil." (...) "We should not take any option off the table, and Iran must be made to pay for this," concluded Congressman Lawler. "Their brazen attack on civilian and military targets within Israel necessitates a response by Israel, the United States, and our strategic partners within the borders of Iran."
Rep. Jared Moskowitz
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) said, “Iran has made a mistake, it has put its nuclear facilities on the board as fair game.” He added after the attack, “Iran cannot be allowed to fire Ballistic [Missiles] at any American Ally without significant repercussions.”
Senate
Sen. Bernie Sanders
I strongly condemn Iran’s massive missile attack on Israel. For months, leaders in Israel and Iran have chosen to escalate tensions rather than pursue diplomatic solutions. They have pushed us to the brink of a wider and more disastrous war. The U.S. must now forcefully demand an end to hostilities.
A ceasefire for hostage deal remains the key to resolving the wider conflict. That could stop the escalatory cycle, end the bombing and the rocket attacks, and allow displaced people to return to their homes sooner. It is the only way to protect civilians, end the suffering of the Palestinian people, as well as ensure peace in the region and security for Israel.
We must not allow extremist leaders in the Middle East to draw the United States into another horrific war in the region
Sen. Chris Coons
“I’m horrified at the news of Iranian missile strikes tonight aimed at Tel Aviv and other cities across Israel and relieved that thanks to interceptions by the U.S. military and American-backed Israeli defense systems, minimal casualties have been reported,” Coons said. “I will always stand with Israel in its right to defend itself and support defense preparations to protect Israel and U.S. personnel in the region. I remain deeply concerned about escalating conflict in the region, and believe the only way to avoid an all-out war is a ceasefire.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Wicker
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to reports of Iranian forces firing a missile salvo at Israeli sovereign territory (...) Iran and its terrorist proxies – Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis – will never stop their campaign to eliminate Israel from the map. The Ayatollah's regime must be eliminated,” Senator Wicker said. “Jews, Arabs, and Iranians all deserve to live side by side in a peaceful neighborhood.”
Sen. Bob Casey
“We passed aid to Israel on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, and turning back on that aid would be reckless and irresponsible.” “I remain committed to standing with Israel and its right to protect itself while we also work to bring the hostages home and provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Spokesperson said he opposes Sanders’ resolutions.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Spokesperson said the senator “is reviewing the resolution but has some concerns about Senator Sanders’ approach.” “Senator Brown strongly believes that Israel has a clear and undeniable right to defend itself against Hamas’ brutal terrorism and voted to send military aid to Israel, along with much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza,” spokesperson Kevin Donohue said. “Ultimately, Senator Brown believes that Israel and Hamas must agree to a ceasefire that ends the war, frees the hostages, and delivers desperately needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.”
Rep. Becca Balint
Rep. Maxwell Frost
Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Rep. Ilhan Omar
“I condemn the attacks by the Israeli military in Lebanon. It is imperative we use every single tool to de-escalate tensions. Just as President Biden stated, a ‘full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest.’ A full-scale war would have catastrophic implications for everyone, especially for Lebanese and Israeli civilians who would bear the brunt of this war and dramatically increase the risk of regional conflict involving the United States. If we are serious about preventing the escalation of this conflict, we must use our leverage to cut off military aid to stop the violence both in Lebanon and Gaza. We cannot continue to stand idly by while innocent civilians are being bombarded with our tax dollars.”
Rep Ayanna Pressley
“I am deeply alarmed by the situation unfolding in the Middle East, including Hezbollah’s attacks on northern Israel, Israel’s ground invasion into Lebanon, and Iran’s missile strikes on Israel today. The priority of the United States and the global community must be saving civilian lives… “The United States and international community must use every diplomatic tool available to deliver a ceasefire, end the cycle of violence and trauma, and work toward a just and lasting peace in the region.”
“As we approach the one-year anniversary of October 7, 2023, I’m thinking of the 1,200 Israelis murdered on October 7th, I’m thinking of the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza, I’m thinking of the families of the hostages, and the millions of Lebanese and Israeli civilians who are now at risk of death, destruction, and displacement. As policymakers, we have a moral and humanitarian obligation to prevent further escalation of violence and stop the bloodshed.
Rep. Betty McCollum
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), who voted for additional aid but has joined other calls to suspend weapons transfers to Israel said in a statement, “Sadly, a broader regional conflict between Israel, Iran, and their terrorist proxies across the Middle East was a predictable result of these hostilities. Israel has a right to defend itself. However, we are now witnessing how the military campaign of the last year has made Israelis and all civilians in the region less safe and more vulnerable than ever.” McCollum reiterated a call for an “immediate regional cease-fire”.
Rep. Anna Paulina (R)
[ Not about escalation, but a good focus on where we should allocate our funds. Just a reminder, she is a Republican.]
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) — who had supported supplemental aid to Israel earlier this year — said “Not one more dollar for foreign aid,” arguing that U.S. efforts should be focused solely on responding to Hurricane Helene.
Rep. Mark Takano 👎🏽
I condemn Iran's attack on Israel and support its right to defend itself. I also support @POTUS' efforts to prevent this conflict from spiraling out of control and build a durable peace that allows all civilians in the region to live free from the threat of violence.
Rep. Raskin 👎🏽👎🏽
I condemn Iran's outrageous ballistic missile attack on our ally Israel and reaffirm our commitment to Israel's security and its right to defend its people. The Biden Administration must keep working closely with Israel to stop Iran’s lawless aggression and its dangerous escalation of regional hostilities.
Rep. Brian Mast
Rep. Josh Gottheimer
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said that “no nation can sit idly by while under direct attack and Israel has every right to defend herself and her citizens. There must be consequences for Iran’s actions.” He also urged international cooperation to “further curb Iran’s destabilizing and reckless conduct that continues to spread havoc, create violence, and cause instability in the region.”
Sen. Peter Welch
A spokesperson for Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), who is an original sponsor of Senate legislation that would suspend the sale of several kinds of weapons to Israel, said he continues to oppose sending additional arms.
“Senator Welch remains focused on a ceasefire, returning the hostages and ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He condemns the attacks on Israel by Iran and believes we must use diplomacy to calm the tensions in the region. More airstrikes and bombs will only bring more war and suffering to this region,” the spokesperson said in a statement to Jewish Insider.
Sen. Tim Kaine
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), who said he would support at least some of the resolutions introduced to suspend arms sales, did not indicate any change in his position when asked by JI. “The U.S. should continue to support Israel in defending itself from Iranian attacks,” Kaine said in a statement. “The U.S. should continue to seek to deescalate violence in the region and the best way to do that is to find a ceasefire in Gaza that will finally release the hostages taken by Hamas nearly a year ago.”
Sen. Lindsay Graham 👎🏽👎🏽
“This is a moment of choosing for the free world regarding Iran. The Ayatollah and Iranian regime are religious Nazis who want to destroy the state of Israel – their words, not mine. “They want to purify Islam and attack the United States – again, their words, not mine. “This missile attack against Israel should be the breaking point and I would urge the Biden Administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran’s ability to refine oil. “These oil refineries need to be hit and hit hard because that is the source of cash for the regime to perpetrate their terror. “My prayers are with the people of Israel, and may God continue to bless Israel.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen 👎🏽
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who has accused Israel of violating U.S arms law, requiring a suspension of aid, emphasized in a statement following the attack that he continues to support air defense systems without addressing offensive sales. “I am deeply concerned with Iran’s missile attack today and glad that the United States helped defend the people of Israel,” Van Hollen said. “Attacks like these are why I have supported — and will continue to support — critical defensive systems, like the Iron Dome, that protect the Israeli people.”
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
"At a time when Israel is under attack from Iran’s terrorist proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, calls to limit security assistance to our democratic ally Israel are wrong and dangerous. As Iran, China, and Russia deepen their military ties, it’s in our interest that America’s allies can defend themselves.” “This resolution would undermine Israel’s ability to defend against mounting regional threats, which is why I’ll do everything in my power to block it.”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
“Senator Baldwin has been steadfast in supporting Israel’s right to defend themselves and will continue to push the Biden administration to ensure that U.S. aid is used in line with our values and humanitarian law,” a Baldwin spokesperson said. “She will review the proposals but her priority remains ending the war in Gaza, bringing hostages home, and surging aid to civilians.”
Sen. Tim Kaine
“Since February, I have called on the Biden Administration to support Israel through the provision of defensive weapons, such as those used to defeat the Iranian drone and missile attacks in April. But I have also urged a pause in transfer of any offensive weapons because of the serious harm they will likely cause to Palestinian civilians in Gaza and in the West Bank. I also believe that the U.S. transferring more offensive weapons into the region right now will be an accelerant to ongoing hostilities.”