Bloomberg Talks Former Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry Talks US Strikes on Iran
Jun 22, 2025
Patrick McHenry, Former Chair of the House Financial Services Committee and a key figure in U.S. politics, shares his insights on recent military actions against Iran. He discusses the historical context of U.S.-Iran relations and the divisions within the Republican Party on foreign intervention. McHenry also delves into the geopolitical consequences of these strikes, particularly the reactions from China and Russia. Moreover, he highlights the ongoing partisan struggles over military funding and the implications of presidential powers in these operations.
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Republican Support for Targeted Strikes
- The US strikes on Iran were a patient, targeted response 15 years in the making against Iranian proxies attacking American interests.
- Most Republicans back the strikes as necessary to maintain a strong America willing to use overwhelming force when needed.
Iran-Russia-Ukraine Conflict Link
- Iran's actions link directly to Russia's conflict in Ukraine through drone technology transfers.
- The US strikes aim to counter enemies coordinating across regions and signal measured use of force when negotiations fail.
Divided Congress, Unified Global Concern
- Congressional divisions over use of force cut across party lines due to legacy authorizations used by past presidents.
- There is broad global support for slowing Iran's nuclear program as a positive security step.