“President Trump’s actions to address Iran’s nuclear weapons program last weekend did not start a war—they ended one…I cannot—and will not—support a resolution that removes the ability of the President of the United States to act decisively in defense of our national interests, our allies, and our armed forces…That is the job of a Commander-in-Chief.”
WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, spoke on the Senate floor supporting President Donald Trump’s leadership and urging his Senate colleagues to oppose the War Powers Resolution on Iran.
Remarks as prepared for delivery
Thank you, Mr. President.
President Trump’s actions to address Iran’s nuclear weapons program last weekend did not start a war—they ended one.
And so I rise today to support President Trump’s wisdom and leadership in decisively countering Iran’s nuclear threat—and therefore to oppose this ill-conceived joint resolution.
As a United States Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I understand and respect the role that Congress plays in matters of war and peace.
But I cannot—and will not—support a resolution that removes the ability of the President of the United States to act decisively in defense of our national interests, our allies, and our Armed Forces.
This resolution, if passed, would send a dangerous message—not just to Iran’s terrorist-sponsoring regime, but also to every adversary who is seeking to exploit our domestic debates and internal divisions.
This resolution would signal that America’s resolve can be hamstrung by congressional hesitation at the very moment when clarity, unity, and strength are most needed.
I cannot state this strongly enough: President Trump acted entirely within his constitutional authority under Article II and in accordance with his solemn duty to defend this nation and the American people.
Operation Midnight Hammer was a targeted, strategic, and necessary use of force to eliminate immediate threats posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies.
No American lives were lost or injured during this military operation—thanks to the leadership of President Trump; the advice and counsel of Vice President J.D. Vance, National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and General Dan Caine; and the brilliant planning and flawless execution of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.
For decades, the Iranian regime has been attacking U.S. personnel, our allies, and our interests—through its Revolutionary Guard, through Hezbollah and Hamas and Houthi terrorists, and through its missile programs and cyber attacks.
For decades, the Iranian regime has cynically violated international agreements to overtly and covertly pursue the capabilities to make nuclear weapons on short notice.
The idea that the president, in the face of grave and gathering threats, can only sit idly by until Congress can hold hearings and schedule votes is not just naïve. It is reckless.
This War Powers Resolution ignores the reality of modern warfare and constrains the Commander-in-Chief at the precise moment when decisiveness is critical.
It elevates process over commonsense policy, and political optics over operational necessity.
If the President had been forced to act in accordance with this resolution last week, the element of surprise would have been entirely lost—and the successful mission flown by our brave Airmen would have been a much different—and likely costlier—one.
Of course, Congress must be consulted.
Of course, we can debate the scope and strategy of our military engagements.
But we must not shackle our President in the middle of a crisis when lives are on the line.
We must not embolden the ayatollahs in Tehran by showing division and delay—because that is the path to endless wars, rather than decisive victories.
President Trump acted—wisely and proportionately—to protect American lives.
He acted to re-establish the credibility of our strategic deterrence.
And he acted after decades of Iranian aggression that went largely unanswered by the previous administrations of President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama.
President Trump—once again—demonstrated decisive leadership in the service of peace and stability.
That is the job of a Commander-in-Chief.
Let me conclude by repeating what I said at the start: President Trump’s actions last weekend did not start a war, they ended one—and with no American lives lost.
We should not be here debating how to constrain this type of leadership, but rather discussing how to recognize and support it.
For this reason, I urge my colleagues to oppose Senate Joint Resolution 59.
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