Dear Caucus Members,
In recent days the United States and its partner Israel have entered into direct military confrontation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Coordinated operations began this past weekend, and were followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes against US and allied forces in the region.
We now know that three American service members have been killed in action and five others seriously wounded, with additional personnel sustaining minor injuries. These losses remind us that military decisions carry immediate and irreversible human costs.
At the same time, our nation is confronting violence here at home. A mass shooting in Texas is under investigation, and authorities are working to determine motive. Whether or not a direct connection is ultimately established, history teaches us that international conflict can inflame domestic tensions, inspire extremist action, and create unpredictable consequences within our own communities.
Veterans understand this reality. Military action in distant theaters does not remain distant. It echos through families, communities, and sometimes through the broader social climate of our country. Heightened global conflict can increase risks to service members abroad while also straining cohesion at home.
Our responsibilities are therefore twofold.
First, we stand unequivocally with the men and women in uniform who carry out lawful orders in defense of our nation. Their safety, readiness, and support must remain paramount.
Second, we must insist on clarity of purpose, constitutional accountability, and sober oversight in any sustained military engagement. The use of force requires defined objectives, a clear exit strategy, and an understanding of second and third order effects, including potential domestic impacts.
As veterans and military families, we are uniquely positioned to approach this moment with steadiness rather than rhetoric. We know the cost of escalation. We know the burden placed on families. And we know that truth matters, especially in times of war.
Our Caucus will continue monitoring developments and will provide updates as reliable information becomes available. We remain committed to supporting service members, veterans, and families who may be affected by deployments, casualties, or heightened security conditions at home.
We honor those who serve, we mourn those lost, and we call for leadership grounded in responsibility, transparency, and constitutional fidelity.
Semper Fi,
