Lawmaker defends "Operation Epic Fury" as defensive response to Iran

A lawmaker argued that "Operation Epic Fury" is a defensive measure intended to protect the American people from what the speaker called an "imminent and growing threat," and said the administration had briefed Congress on the operation.

The lawmaker said, "Peace through strength does not mean another open-ended war of the past," and described the operation as "a defensive action using overwhelming force to protect the American people from an imminent and growing threat." The speaker said Iran had been "producing conventional drones and ballistic missiles at an alarming rate until just this past weekend," and framed the action as a protective step to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions and development.

The remarks also noted the administration's role: "The Trump administration has clearly defined the mission, the objective and the timeline. It's notified and briefed Congress on these operations," the lawmaker said. At the conclusion of the remarks, the lawmaker asserted, "Simply put, Iran cannot, under any circumstances, possess the capabilities for having nuclear weapons." During the exchange a time check occurred and the speaker confirmed they had "30 seconds" remaining.

The transcript contains no record of a vote, formal motion, or other committee action tied to these remarks, and it does not identify the speaker by name or a specific legislative body. The comments are presented here as the speaker delivered them in the public record; no independent verification of the factual claims about recent Iranian production or operational details was provided in the transcript.