SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska issued a statement regarding her vote on Senate Joint Resolution 59, following recent military actions involving Iran. Murkowski detailed the context of the vote, referencing a briefing Congress received from key officials including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Yesterday, Congress received a detailed briefing on last weekend’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine," she stated. The officials indicated that the strikes were in response to an imminent threat based on intelligence assessments.

Murkowski explained that the military action aimed to disable Iran's nuclear capabilities. "We received confirmation that these strikes were solely focused on disabling Iran’s nuclear capabilities," she noted, while damage assessments are still being processed.

The senator expressed her satisfaction with the President's decision, citing constitutional authority under Article II, Section 2. "I am satisfied that the President’s actions were justified and within his scope of authority under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution," she remarked.

She also emphasized that any larger military operation would require congressional approval as per constitutional requirements. Murkowski expressed hope for continued peace in the region following a ceasefire negotiated by former President Trump between Iran and Israel.

In closing, Murkowski praised the U.S. military's execution of the operation: "I want to again commend the professionalism and skill of the U.S. military in executing these strikes."