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US lawmakers are showing clear lines of division following joint US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and escalated tensions across the Middle East.

What Republicans are saying: Over the last 48 hours, Republicans have largely come out in support of the strikes, describing them as a necessary response to Iran’s actions. Sen. Tom Cotton said he has heard “nothing but unqualified support for President Trump and for his decision to finally put America’s foot down and end 47 years of terror and revolutionary violence by the Islamic Republic against the United States and our citizens,” adding that he expects “overwhelming support from elected Republicans in the Congress.” Cotton also said upcoming operations would involve “a methodical and systematic focus on Iran’s missiles, its missile launchers and ultimately its missile manufacturing capability.” Speaker Mike Johnson said Iran was “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” while Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Iran as having posed a “clear and unacceptable threat” for years.

Sen. Lindsey Graham also chimed in, saying that the United States does not intend to remain in Iran, stating, “We’re not going to occupy the country.” Instead, he said, “We’re going to give the people of Iran a chance to do something they’ve never had before: Chart their own destiny.” Graham added that the US would ensure Iran cannot reconstitute its military capabilities, saying, “We’re going to take away from any future government the ability to have a ballistic missile program, a nuclear program, or support terrorism,” and argued that “having Iran no longer the state sponsor of terrorism opens up historic opportunities.”

It should be noted that Republican Senator Rand Paul and Congressman Thomas Massie have come out against Trump’s actions in Iran.

What Democrats are saying: Most Democrats have criticized the president’s decision to act without congressional authorization. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the Senate to “quickly return to session and reassert its constitutional duty by passing our resolution to enforce the War Powers Act,” saying the administration had “not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat.”

Sen. Tim Kaine labeled the strikes a “colossal mistake” and said, “Every single senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary and idiotic action.”

Sen. Mark Warner said, “The Constitution is clear. The decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.”

It should be noted that Democratic Senator John Fetterman has come out in support of Trump’s actions in Iran.