Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) released the following statements about President Trump's military strikes against Iran on June 21, 2025:
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont): In the 1960s the United States government lied to the American people and took us into a terrible war in Vietnam. The result of that war was that over 58,000 young Americans died and many more came back wounded both in mind and in spirit. Millions of Vietnamese were also killed. Hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money was wasted.
In 2002 we were told that we had to go to war against Iraq, that Iraq was building weapons of mass destruction, and that if we did not act quickly and decisively nuclear weapons would fall on America. Among those who told us that was none other than Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, who stated in testimony before Congress: “There is no question whatsoever that Saddam is seeking... nuclear weapons... If you take out Saddam's regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations."
The United States invaded Iraq and became embroiled in a long civil war there. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. That war was based on a lie – a lie which cost us 4,492 young Americans, 32,000 wounded, over half a million Iraqis and trillions of dollars.
The American people were lied to about Vietnam, with tragic consequences.
The American people were lied to about Iraq, with tragic consequences.
The American people are being lied to again today. We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The U.S. faces enormous problems here at home, which we must address. We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged into another Middle East war based on lies.
U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) released this statement after the United States bombed three nuclear sites in Iran:
“President Trump’s decision to enter a war with Iran does not make America more secure—it puts us in extreme danger. This bombing was an act of war that risks retaliation by the Iranian regime.
“Any hope of diplomacy has been irreparably harmed, and the White House is now allowing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to drag us into his war against Iran. We cannot bomb our way to peace. We do not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and the way to ensure that is to work with our allies to ensure our global safety.
“Under the constitution, it is the responsibility of Congress—not the president—to declare war. The American people should have had a voice and an opportunity to debate this monumental act before a strike of this nature. We must return to Washington immediately.”
Senator Welch shared a video earlier this week voicing his opposition to taking action in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Senator Welch urged Senators of both parties to strongly oppose allowing Netanyahu to pull the U.S. into yet another forever war in the Middle East.
BURLINGTON, Vt. June 22, 2025 – Sanders, Welch
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