Florida lawmakers react to 'evil attack' on Israel by bashing Biden, Iran

The world is now waiting for what Israel's response will be after Iran Saturday launched hundreds of missiles and drones armed with explosives at the country over the weekend.

Most of them were intercepted, and Iran’s first direct attack on Israel caused minimal damage and casualties.

American warplanes shot down drones, U.S. officials said. Also helping Israel were forces from the United Kingdom and France.

Here's how Florida lawmakers responded to the attack.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: 'Florida stands with Israel'

"Israel has every right to defend itself and respond with any force necessary to neutralize the threat posed by Iran's terrorism," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Florida stands with Israel."

Sen. Rick Scott: Iran launched 'evil attack' against Israel

"We don't want war. Neither does Israel. But America should never undermine our friends, Sen. Rick Scott posted on Facebook. "If Biden knew anything about war or honor, he would understand that and stand with our ally."

"Like I told @IsraeliPM Netanyahu when I was in Israel, Florida and America will ALWAYS stand with Israel."

“The United States must clearly and strongly stand with our great ally and fully support its right and obligation to defend itself by any means necessary," Scott said.

"As Iran attacks, I’m praying for the safety of Israel & urging @SenSchumer to immediately put the House-passed clean Israel aid bill on the floor, as well as my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, the moment we return to D.C. on Monday," Sen. Rick Scott posted on Facebook.

“Let us all remember who the enemy is and has always been: the evil, terror-supporting regime in Iran. Since October 7th, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have continued to undermine Israel’s fight against Iran-backed Hamas terrorists, further isolating our ally in its greatest time of need.

"America and the freedom-loving nations of the world are less safe and secure because of President Biden’s weakness and appeasement of evil regimes and the terror each support. I will always stand with Israel and again demand that the Biden administration and every member of Congress make clear today that they will do the same.”

In response to a post from the Permanent Mission if I.R. Irand to UN, NY, Scott was blunt: "You are terrorists. The United States doesn't take orders from Iran."

Sen. Marco Rubio: 'Iran's goal is to make Israel an unlivable place'

"Iran knows it cannot beat Israel militarily, but what it does aspire to do is make Israel an impossible place to live and a place no one wants to visit" Rubio said in an interview with CNN.

Iran wants to make Israel "an unlivable place so that the Jewish state will collapse from within economically and socially. That is their goal and their aspiration."

"I expect that they will respond. I don't think that they're going to ask us nor do they need us to help them in that regard. Ours has largely been a defensive posture."

"The next time you hear the 'ceasefire now' crowd described as 'peace activists' remember how many of them cheered the launch of hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. They don’t want a ceasefire, they want #Israel destroyed," Rubio posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Here's how Florida's members in House of Representatives reacted to attack

Vern Buchanan, District 16: 'You either stand with Israel or you don't'

"The 'ceasefire now' crowd is showing their true colors. You either stand with Israel or you don’t. It’s that simple," Rep. Vern Buchanan posted on X. "You either stand with Israel or you don't. It's that simple.

"Meanwhile, the Biden administration just decided to give Iran access to $10 BILLION. Truly insane. Biden’s appeasement of Iran is a direct threat to American citizens and our troops."

Kat Cammack, District 3: 'Our prayers are with the people of Israel'

'Our prayers are with the people of Israel," Rep. Kat Cammack posted on X, along with a graphic saying Florida stands with Israel.

She also posted: "Reminder: Biden allowed the UN sanctions on Iran's drones and ballistic missiles to expire less than six months ago. The very same drones and missiles en route to Israel right now."

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, District 26: 'We only achieve peace through strength'

"Weakness provokes conflict," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, posted on X.

"It is imperative that the United States stands firmly in support of our ally Israel as they face existential attacks from the mullahs of Iran and their terrorist proxies. We only achieve peace through strength and it is beyond time that our nation recommits to the successful policy of Maximum Pressure.

"Israel should take every measure necessary to ensure their national security and avert further terrorist threats from Iran."

Rep. Neal Dunn, District 2: 'We must support Israel'

“The Biden Administration’s appeasement of Iran has emboldened Iran to directly attack Israel after months of green-lighting attacks on US service members. Iran’s leadership is pure evil," said Rep. Neal Dunn in a news release.

"America must always stand strongly with our ally Israel.”

Rep. Lois Frankel, District 22: 'US-Israel relationship is ironclad'

"The U.S.-Israel relationship is ironclad. As President Biden has said, the United States will stand with Israel and support their defense against Iranian attacks," Rep. Lois Frankel posted on X.

"Iran’s attacks underscore the urgent need to pass vital supplemental security assistance to Israel immediately."

Rep. Scott Franklin, District 18: 'Iran has made a terrible mistake'

"The US will always stand with our ally Israel. Iran has made a terrible mistake," Rep. Scott Franklin posted on X.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, District 10: 'Deescalation is in the best interest of all people in the region and world'

"I’m relieved to see minimal damage from Iran’s attack on Israel last night and have those hurt in my prayers," said Rep. Maxwell Frost on X.

"Shows why a good defensive apparatus saves lives and is important. I agree with President Biden’s current assessment of next steps, no one should want this to spiral into an even bigger situation. Deescalation is in the best interest of all people in the region, and world."

Rep. Matt Gaetz, District 1: Attack 'should be universally condemned'

"Iran’s attack on Israel today is escalatory and should be universally condemned," Rep. Matt Gaetz posted on X.

"No nation in the Middle East should be desirous of a broadening regional war. A lasting peace will be unattainable if Iran and its proxies continue to launch attacks against those who desire peace."

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, District 28: 'United States must stand with our ally'

"The United States MUST STAND with our ally: the democratic, Jewish State of Israel!" Rep. Carlos Gimenez posted on X.

"President Biden’s weakness and appeasement of #Iran has invited these reckless terrorist attacks. The U.S. must intercept these drones and deter further strikes from Iran!"

Rep. Laurel Lee, District 15: 'Praying for Israel'

"I am praying for Israel and will continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East," Rep. Laurel Lee posted on X.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, District 13: 'Join me in prayer'

"U.S. forces are intercepting drones headed towards Israel. Please join me in prayer for our men and women in uniform," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted on X.

Rep. Brian Mast, District 21: Attack 'direct result of Joe Biden's lack of leadership'

"Iran just launched drone strikes at innocent Israeli civilians.," Rep. Brian Mast posted on X.

"This is a direct result of Joe Biden’s lack of leadership. The White House should be standing resolutely with Israel. Instead, they’ve spent months kissing up to the terrorist regime in Tehran to appease a few loud, far-left, and anti-American lawmakers in Congress."

"Israel used U.S.-made fighter jets to shoot down Iranian drones and missiles. These are the types of weapons that 40 @HouseDemocrats, including @SpeakerPelosi, demanded Joe Biden stop giving Israel last week. These far-left LUNATICS want to abandon Israel in the middle of a war."

"Joe Biden handed $10 billion to Iran. It’s horrific to imagine how much of that money was used to buy the drones hurdling towards Israel right now."

"The last time Joe Biden said 'don’t,' a bunch of ragtag terrorists in Yemen attacked our ships in the Red Sea. Maybe something a little stronger than 'don’t' was needed to bring the fear of God into the terrorists in Tehran."

Rep. Cory Mills, District 7: 'Biden is fighting Iran's battles'

"Biden is fighting Iran’s battles for them by abandoning the United States’ greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel, delisting Houthi as a terrorist organization, not enforcing sanctions on oil exports resulting in tens of billions for Iran, and unfreezing billions in fungible assets to be used to fund proxy militia attacks," said Rep. Cory Mills on X April 9, just days before Iran's attack on Israel.

"We cannot allow Biden to continue to abandon Americans abroad or one of our great allies. His inability to hold adversaries accountable, protect American lives, secure our borders, and strengthen allegiance weakens America on the international stage."

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, District 23: 'Punish the regime for its funding of terror'

Tweets by RepMoskowitz

"Now more than ever, the Iranian regime is showing that it is intent upon destabilizing the region and harming innocent Israelis. The Senate must pass my bill with @RepMikeLawler, the SHIP Act, to strengthen sanctions on Iran and punish the regime for its funding of terror," Rep. Jared Moskowitz posted on X.

"As Iran attacks Israel, now is the time for Speaker Johnson to put politics aside and do what we should’ve done months ago: fund our ally."

"The United States stands with Israel. Iran will not succeed."

Rep. Maria Salazar, District 27: 'I stand with Israel'

"I stand with Israel," Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar posted on X.

"Iranian leadership chants “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Now, they’ve launched a direct attack on Israel. Praying for the safety of the Israeli people and American troops in the region."

Rep. Darren Soto, District 9: 'Democracies across the world are under attack'

"We are closely monitoring Iran’s disturbing drone attack on Israel & support ⁦@POTUS⁩’ rapid response," Rep. Darren Soto posted on X.

"Democracies across the world are under attack. America must lead in this moment of peril by passing Ukraine / Israel Supplemental without delay."

Rep. Greg Steube, District 17: Iran's 'military capability should be destroyed'

"Biden’s weakness has given billions to Iran to launch attacks on US Soldiers and now Israel," said Rep. Greg Steube on X.

"All their military capability should be destroyed and severe economic sanctions put back in place. The Iranians were broke when Trump left office and now they are enriched, empowered and emboldened. Israel should respond militarily as they see appropriate and finish cleaning Hamas out of Gaza."

Rep. Mike Waltz, District 6:

"The Biden Admin’s Middle East policy has everything to do with domestic politics and appeasing the left," said Rep. Mike Waltz on X.

"It’s weak and feckless. The Iranians see opportunity and that’s why they are on the march.

"President Biden should be on the White House lawn RIGHT NOW saying “Israel, America has your back! Our allies and enemies need to hear it. I pray they do. I fear they won’t.

"Reminder: the Biden administration refused to push for a renewal of UN sanctions on Iranian drones and missiles. We need a commander in chief that our enemies fear and respect. November can’t come soon enough!"

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, District 25:

"You voted to cut Israel aid by 30%. Refuse to put a national security funding bill on the floor the Senate passed with 70 votes," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in response to a tweet from House Speaker Mike Johnson that said "America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally. The world must be assured: Israel is not alone.

"Conditioned aid to Israel," Wasserman Schultz tweeted. "You and your party are the reason vital aid to Israel isn’t already there!

"Putin is key to all of it. He funds Iran, which directs terror at Israel’s civilians, as the Kremlin gains strength vs. a depleted Ukraine. Democracy is on the line. Pass the Israel/Ukraine democracy supplemental now.

Rep. Daniel Webster, District 11: 'The United States stands with our ally Israel'

"My prayers are with the Israeli people as they defend themselves against an attack carried out by the Iranian regime. The United States stands with our ally Israel, as they continue to seek peace in the region," Rep. Daniel Webster said on X.

Rep. Frederica Wilson, District 24: 'Reckless attack on Israel is outrageous'

"When Israel is strong, America is strong. Iran’s reckless attack on Israel is outrageous and must not stand," Rep. Frederica Wilson said on X.

" I’m prepared to work with President Biden to support the security of Israel. The people of Israel are in my prayers."

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Gov. DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott Iran attack. US support Israel