Scalise on potential of troops in Iran: 'We’re having a lot of conversations about what could happen next'
abcnews.com • • general
Key Points:
- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise did not rule out the possibility of American ground troops entering Iran, stating that discussions about potential next steps are ongoing, though no troops are currently deployed on the ground.
- Scalise emphasized that President Trump had informed congressional leadership in advance of strikes against Iran and participated in classified briefings with bipartisan lawmakers, though he did not directly address whether formal congressional authorization was sought.
- Some Republicans, including Sen. John Kennedy, have expressed that President Trump should seek congressional approval before deploying ground troops in Iran, but Scalise refrained from speculating on Republican support for such a move.
- Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen criticized the war as an "illegal war of choice," arguing it is making the U.S. less safe, increasing costs, and lacking a clear objective or endgame, while also questioning the substance of administration briefings.
- The conflict with Iran has lasted over a month, with debates continuing in Congress about funding, authorization, and the broader strategy, amid rising concerns over the war’s impact on security and economic factors like oil prices.
