Democrats in Oregon and Washington condemn military strike in Iran - OPB
Democratic representatives and senators from Oregon and Washington condemned President Trump's military strike in Iran, calling for Congress to return and vote on a War Powers Resolution to prevent further military action. They emphasized concerns over the legality, potential for escalation, and the impact on American lives, with some urging transparency from their colleagues and the public's opposition to war. The situation follows shortly after the missile strikes launched by the US and Israel, which Iran responded to with missile fire.
People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
Associated Press / AP
Congressional Democrats in Oregon and Washington condemned President Donald Trump’s military strike in Iran on Saturday.
This comes hours after the U.S. and Israel launched several missiles into Iran, with Trump vowing to end that country’s nuclear program and bring in a regime change. The Iranian military has already responded by firing missiles at American bases located around the region.
“Donald Trump is unilaterally dragging us into another costly and deadly war in the Middle East that the American people don’t want,” U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said on X. “Trump and Hegseth are putting American lives on the line to make themselves feel powerful, while our military families pay the real price.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said Trump’s decision to launch an attack on Iran “shreds our Constitution, which assigns decisions of war to Congress.”
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, Oregon’s lone Republican in Congress, did not immediately return requests for comments Saturday.
Multiple Democrats specifically called for Congress to return to vote on a War Powers Resolution in an effort to stop further military action in Iran.
“The American people must also be LOUD in their opposition,” U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Portland, said. “The public wants peace, not more chaos abroad. Your voice is powerful.”
“The Speaker (Mike Johnson) needs to call the House back now to vote on a war powers resolution to reign the President in,” U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, said.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a longtime member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, called on each senator to make their position on the strike public.
“Every Senator should be on the record — the American people deserve to know which of their leaders supports another potentially bloody and costly war in the Middle East,” Murray wrote. “No war with Iran.”
This story is developing and may be updated.
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