New Hampshire’s all-Democrat federal delegation is divided over Israel’s military strikes on Iran as the prospect of American involvement looms. Their divide reflects the split in the national Democratic Party between traditional Democrats and the anti-Israel progressive wing.
The most interesting contrast is between U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and the Democrat who hopes to replace her, Rep. Chris Pappas.
Pappas has been the delegation’s most outspoken supporter of Israel and its actions.
“Iran is a terrorist state that has long fueled death and destruction aimed squarely at the United States, Israel, and our allies,” he posted on Twitter after Israel launched its strikes on Thursday.
“Israel is justified in seeking to degrade Iran’s nuclear program, as an international nuclear watchdog agency just verified Iran is in violation of non-proliferation agreements.”
Shaheen, on the other hand, called Israel’s actions “an escalation that is deeply concerning and will inevitably invite counterattacks. This risks not only U.S. negotiations with Iran, but the safety of American service members, diplomats, their families and ex-pats around the region.”
Shaheen has an extensive record of taking anti-Israel stances. Late last year, for example, she voted for three measures blocking some arms shipments to Israel, claiming it was a protest against the Jewish nation’s policy in Gaza.
She also publicly — and critics argue, falsely — accused Israel of “starving” the people of Gaza. Shaheen’s comment echoes the accusation of the notoriously anti-Israel International Criminal Court that Israel is engaged in “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.”
She is also a supporter of the failed Obama administration “Iran Deal,” which she voted for in 2014. She also condemned Trump when he dropped out of the deal in 2018, even as Iran was using its wealth under the deal to fund Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist efforts.
However, on Fox News Sunday this weekend, Shaheen declared, “I think we all agree Iran should not be allowed to get a nuclear weapon.”
Other Democrats, including her fellow Granite Stater Sen. Maggie Hassan, have been steadier friends of Israel.
“Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, and I have worked across the aisle to help ensure that does not happen,” Hassan said. “The Iranian regime has called for Israel’s complete destruction and is a state sponsor of terrorism. Israel is our strongest partner in the Middle East and the United States will always help protect it.”
Does that “help” include U.S. bombers using bunker busters to hit parts of Iran’s nuclear weapons program beyond the reach of Israel’s military?
Some Democrats say absolutely not. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who won the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire twice, has proposed the “No War Against Iran Act,” which would block U.S. military action against the Islamist regime. New England Democratic Sens. Peter Welch (Vt), Elizabeth Warren (Ma.) and Ed Markey (Ma.) have already signed off on Sanders’ proposal.
In the House, likely 2028 presidential candidate Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has joined with libertarian Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in a bipartisan resolution to restrict President Trump’s ability to act against Iran.
And Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) also has legislation mandating a vote by Congress before Trump can initiate military action.
Thus far, no members of New Hampshire’s delegation have signed off on any of these proposals. NHJournal repeatedly asked all four members of the delegation if they believe Trump needs a vote from Congress before launching strikes against Iran.
They declined to answer.
Neither did Shaheen’s daughter Stefany, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the First Congressional District. In fact, as of late Tuesday night, Stefany Shaheen had not made any public statements about Israel, Iran or U.S. policy amid the momentous events of the week.
Her opponent Maura Sullivan, on the other hand, told NHJournal she believes Congress must vote before any military action.
“Iran is one of the world’s leading state sponsors of terrorism, fueling violence against the United States, Israel, and our allies,” Sullivan said. “We must ensure they never obtain nuclear weapons.
“In the Marines, I served in a war where leaders in Washington sent us in without a clear plan or the resources to succeed. I will not stand by while we repeat those mistakes.”
And, Sullivan added, “As laid out in the Constitution, Congress must debate and authorize any use of military force or declaration of war against Iran before the President acts.”
The third Democrat in the race, Harvard faculty member Carleigh Beriont, also declined to respond to questions.
Another person unimpressed by Stefany Shaheen’s refusal to tell voters her views on Israel and Iran is Republican Hollie Noveletsky. Currently the vice chair of the state GOP, Noveletsky told NHJournal she is “actively exploring” another run in the First Congressional District. (She came in second in the 2024 GOP primary.)
National security is a very serious issue, especially if you’re going to be a member of Congress,” Noveltsky said. “The fact that Stefany Shaheen has been unwilling to speak up shows she is either trying to hide her position, or she doesn’t have the guts to take a stand. Neither of those options are what Granite Staters need from their elected representative.”
Noveletsky praised Trump for “offering diplomatic solutions while affirming that the Iranian regime must never have a nuclear weapon. The regime rejected President Trump’s genuine offers of peace, and Israel reacted appropriately by bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“The Iranian regime truly is an existential threat to the United States, Israel, and all western civilization. I applaud President Trump’s strong America First leadership, and I stand with him in the belief that Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon.”
Another potential GOP candidate, Chris Bright, told NHJournal that, “While I generally believe that no U.S. troops should be committed without the Constitutionally-required approval of Congress, each instance should be carefully evaluated under its own, unique context such as ‘window of opportunity,’ geopolitical implications and other considerations.”
Bright, a West Point grad and active military reservist who just returned from a two-week military engagement, added:
“Iran has been the single most destabilizing country in the Middle East and they are at their weakest point in decades. They absolutely should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapon capabilities. If President Trump decides now is the time to engage, I both fully trust and fully support his decision.”
Like Noveletsky, Bright ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 GOP primary.