Republican leaders are calling on President Joe Biden to get tougher on Iran after its attack on Israel on Tuesday, reported The Hill.
"The Biden Administration has repeatedly threatened Iran with 'severe consequences' for its campaign of terror against Israel and the United States, but failed to impose them," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement.
"It has pledged 'ironclad' support for Israel, only to delay and withhold the security assistance that would give this pledge any weight.
"It is not enough to issue statements," he said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson blasted Democrats for being "hypocritical" when it comes to standing with Israel and urged the Biden administration "to fully enforce the Iran sanctions on the books and reimpose the U.N. sanctions lest they expire."
"It's hypocritical for the administration to express support for Israel's defense while continuing to appease the Iranian regime with billions or hundreds of billions of dollars, actually, in sanctions relief," Johnson said during a planned Tuesday speech before the New York Stock Exchange, while calling for a "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran and Iranian-backed groups.
"President [Joe] Biden needs to make clear that there will be decisive economic and potential military ramifications for these actions," he added.
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, called on the White House to send more powerful weapons to Israel and adopt legislation that applies new financial and travel restrictions on anyone associated with Iran's missile programs.
"We need to expedite arms transfers to Israel that this administration has delayed for months, including 2,000-pound bombs, to ensure Israel has all the tools to deter these threats," McCaul said. "The administration also needs to utilize all the sanctions authorities we have ... to cut off resources to Iran and its proxies."
Biden on Tuesday said Iran's missile attack on Israel appeared to be ineffective and said the U.S. is fully supportive of Israel. The president and Vice President Kamala Harris monitored the attack from the White House Situation Room.