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- Rep. Mike Kennedy supports Trump's Iran strikes but urges congressional oversight to avoid "long-term protracted" conflict.
- Kennedy said Trump has authority for strikes "when American lives are in jeopardy."
- Some congressional Democrats call for immediate vote on resolution to limit war powers.
PROVO — Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy said he supports President Trump's military incursion into Iran, but he added that Congress needs to be involved to ensure this does not become a "long-term protracted" conflict.
Kennedy defended both the president's actions and the role of Congress, granted by the Constitution, to declare war in an interview with KSL on Monday.
"If we're going to declare a war, Congress should do that," Kennedy said. "But through the War Powers Act, the president does have a right to take action when American lives are in jeopardy."
Kennedy said he learned over the weekend about the U.S. military's operation with Israel in Iran. President Trump said he ordered the attack on Iran — which killed the country's supreme leader — to stop the development of a nuclear and ballistic missile program.
While the Trump administration briefed congressional leaders known as the "Gang of Eight" ahead of time, Kennedy, a Republican, said he will take part in a confidential security briefing Tuesday with administration officials to learn more details.
"I know President Trump wants to protect America," Kennedy said. "I also know that Iran has been a rogue nation since I was a child."
But, Kennedy added, Congress has a role to conduct oversight of the conflict. He pointed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as examples of why the country should avoid a lengthy military commitment.
"We learned a lot from Iraq, and I am not interested in long-term protracted wars in the Middle East," Kennedy said. "We need to make sure we're focused on the American people. We need to make sure we're focused on our country's safety and security but also making sure that our American people have the economic benefits that they deserve here in this great country."
At least four U.S. service members have died so far, with others injured. Trump has said he expects the conflict to last several weeks, although he's prepared for it to last "far longer than that," according to the Associated Press.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said the U.S. plans to send even more troops to the region and military officials expect more American casualties. The military said air defense systems in Kuwait mistakenly shot down three American F-15E fighter jets during an Iranian attack. All six crew members ejected and were recovered safely.
Nine countries in the Middle East — including Israel and other U.S. allies — have reported being struck by Iranian missiles.
Some Democrats have called for an immediate vote on a war powers resolution meant to limit the ongoing operations in Iran, though it remains unclear what effect that might have, given that the conflict has threatened to spread to other nations in the Persian Gulf.
"The Constitution says we're not supposed to be at war without a vote of Congress," Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat and cosponsor of a Senate resolution, told NPR. "This is important. The lives of our troops are at risk. We ought to come back to Washington right away and vote on this."
Utah Rep. Blake Moore also weighed in Monday, saying Trump's actions were lawful under the 2001 Authorized Use of Military Force approved by Congress. He said the strikes "dealt a major blow to the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world."
Moore said the situation is still developing but hopes the military campaign will lead to solutions to prevent Iran from threatening the U.S. and its allies, ensure the country cannot develop nuclear weapons and help Iranians "determine their own destiny."
"I'm saddened at the loss of the service members who were killed, and my prayers are with their families and other military members who were injured," the congressman said, adding that he's praying for the safety of other service members now in danger.
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, released a statement about Iran over the weekend, calling Iran's government a "destabilizing force" that puts Americans in danger.
"Peace is preserved through strength and resolve," Curtis said. "Our commander-in-chief is taking planned, targeted action to protect the American people, stand with our allies, and promote stability in an increasingly dangerous world. I look forward to robust engagement between the administration and Congress as this situation unfolds."
