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In-House Opinions: Local members of Congress weigh in on the war with Iran

March 19, 2026

As part of our ongoing In-House Opinions survey of Southern California members of Congress on their thoughts and positions on the most crucial issues of our day, we asked several local representatives how long the war against Iran would last, and whether Congress and the American people would support the war if what is now a third week of military action turns into months.

We also asked: Are the president’s and defense secretary’s claims that press coverage of the war amounts to fake news true?

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona: “Our military continues to display its extraordinary capabilities and professionalism as it executes Operation Epic Fury. For years Iran has financially backed and strategically directed terrorist organizations around the world to kill Americans. They have been a destabilizing force to their neighbors and have blocked peace in the region. Finally, we have a president who had enough and launched an operation to eliminate the Iranian regime’s capability to project power in the region and develop a nuclear weapon. President Trump has been clear-eyed about the mission and that it will be complete in weeks, not months. In typical fashion, most media have ignored the outmatched performance of our military and the president’s leadership; the WSJ recently published an op-ed on the media’s focus on bad news only. I believe that a world without a hardline theocratic Iranian regime that chants ‘Death to America’ will be a better place, especially for the millions of Iranians who have suffered for far too long.”

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena: “The war in Iran lasted too long the moment it began. President Trump unilaterally launched an armed conflict, putting American service members’ lives on the line with no clear strategy, no congressional authorization, and no clear objective to serve the American people. Now, in the third week of this war, there are still more questions than answers. What we do know is that American lives are at risk and service members’ families are being put through deep fear and uncertainty. The longer this war drags on, the worse it will get. That is why I voted for the bipartisan War Powers resolution to put an immediate stop to this illegal war. Just as Congress must uphold its constitutional authority over war, we must also defend another core pillar of our democracy: a free and independent press. President Trump has failed to provide clear and honest answers about this conflict, which is why we must protect a free press so the American people can get the truth.”

Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Burbank: “President Trump dragged America into this reckless war of choice with no exit strategy, no imminent threat and no rational justification to the American people. Now, 13 servicemembers have tragically died, 140 are injured and, instead of investing at home to cut costs on housing, groceries and energy, the administration is spending $2 billion a day on an escalating war. Threatening journalists for reporting these truths doesn’t make this war a good idea, it just proves this administration doesn’t have a plan.”

Rep. Derek Tran, D-Irvine: “I voted to assert Congress’s constitutional powers over war-making. I have grave concerns that the Trump administration’s impulsive, unilateral military actions, without the consent of the American people, are further destabilizing an already volatile region. Heroic service members have already been killed because the president failed to act with transparency, measured diplomacy, and thoughtful justification. Congress cannot wait one more day to rein in this administration’s recklessness and protect the lives of our troops. There is no question that the Iranian regime is a malign actor, an oppressor of its people and state-sponsor of terrorism, but the administration has failed to provide a meaningful justification necessitating the immediate use of military force. All diplomatic options must be exhausted to ensure that the Iranian people can achieve freedom and democracy without the consequences of a ruinous war. No government decision is more solemn, and no issue is more deserving of public debate, than the act of committing American lives to armed conflict. Our children will be left with the global consequences of this endeavor and saddled with a multi-billion-dollar debt. My vote for this War Powers Resolution sends a clear message: we will not accept more forever wars.”

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside: “Donald Trump chose to start this war against Iran, and he has the power to bring it to an end just as quickly. The American people already do not support this latest Middle Eastern conflict that’s caused gas prices to spike, and that opposition is likely to grow the longer the conflict continues. While Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are angry at independent media outlets for daring to ask basic questions about the war, no amount of spinning can cover up the fact that Donald Trump would rather start wars abroad than lower costs at home.”

Rep. Young Kim, R-Yorba Linda: “President Trump took decisive action in response to a ruthless regime that has repeatedly pursued nuclear weapons, brutally oppressed its own people, and exported terror across the globe — including against the United States. Our objective here is clear: protect American lives, defend our interest and ensure Iran is no longer a threat. I have full faith that our military will execute these objectives and bring this conflict to a decisive resolution.”

Orange County Register

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In-House Opinions: Local members of Congress weigh in on the war with Iran

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