Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor, arguing that the Iranian regime has spent nearly five decades carrying out terrorism against Americans and others while successive U.S. administrations failed to hold it accountable.

Drawing on his military service, Sheehy said the threat posed by Iran extends beyond politics and has affected service members, their families, and civilians around the world.

Sheehy began by recalling a recent ceremony honoring fallen American troops.

"Yesterday, we saw the President of States and many others at Dover Air Force Base presiding over a ceremony that is very sacred to those of us who served," he said, describing "a dignified return of remains from the war zone."

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Reflecting on his own military experience, Sheehy said he had participated in many of those ceremonies.

"I participated in many of those ceremonies myself, to include carrying friends of mine off the plane," he said. Holding up a memorial bracelet, Sheehy added, "One of those is on this bracelet. He was cut in half by an Iranian EFP."

Sheehy argued that Iran's leadership does not distinguish between Americans based on politics, religion, or geography.

"This regime that we are fighting does not care about our partisan politics," he said. "They don't care who you voted for, who you pray to, or where you live."

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According to Sheehy, the regime has made its intentions clear through decades of violence.

"They want to kill all of us, and they don't just say it; they actually do it, and they've been doing it for 47 years."

Addressing criticism of U.S. military involvement, Sheehy said, "This is a war of choice. The Democrats are correct." He immediately added that it "was begun by a radical, lunatic band of terrorists that took over a beautiful nation, 47 years ago."

He said the regime seized power "with brutality, force, and savagery" and chose violence over improving the country.

"They didn't free their people. They didn't unleash the largest oil reserves in the world to build schools and bridges," Sheehy said. "They took it over to murder their own people and to spread their disgusting ideology across the world."

Sheehy argued that Iran's actions over the years demonstrate its intentions.

"You don't have to believe what they say," he said. "You can simply watch what they've done."

He cited attacks against civilians, families, and military personnel while describing what he called acts of extreme brutality committed by Iran-backed terrorists. He also said those responsible are celebrated rather than punished.

"They've done it to friends of mine," Sheehy said. "They've done it to families who've been in this chamber."

Sheehy criticized American elected officials whom he believes have minimized the threat.

"The fact that we sit here and listen to elected officials of this country defend these lunatics who want us all dead," he said, adding, "they want all of us dead."

He pointed to attacks including the 1983 Marine barracks bombing, the USS Cole bombing, and terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.

"These are not humanitarian freedom organizations; they are death-dealing cults," Sheehy said. "They want all of us to die brutal deaths."

Recalling additional cases involving Americans, Sheehy referenced CIA officer William Buckley and U.S. personnel captured by Iranian-backed forces, arguing their families have never received justice.

"These families have never gotten restitution," he said. "Not a single president has ever stood up to them."

Sheehy contrasted that record with President Donald Trump's approach.

"There's never been a single president who has stood up to Iran and hit back for 47 years?" he said.

He also criticized leaders from both political parties for, in his view, failing to support American troops during overseas conflicts.

"When you're fighting for your country, you don't care what party's in office," Sheehy said. "You're fighting to defend your country."

He said service members are discouraged when they see elected officials criticizing military efforts.

"You turn on the news and see your elected officials stabbing you in the back," he said, "telling you that you're failing."

Sheehy argued that recent Iranian actions do not reflect strength.

"An occasional missile strike and boats in the straits-that's not military strength," he said. "Those are the flailings of a failing empire."

He closed by urging lawmakers to think about the troops currently serving overseas rather than political considerations.

"I encourage our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, whatever is politically convenient, whatever plays well on Twitter or Facebook, think about the people who are deployed right now," Sheehy said.

Concluding his remarks, Sheehy argued that Iran initiated the conflict decades ago and said the United States must ensure future generations do not face the same threat.

"We did not start a war with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard; they started it with us 47 years ago," he said. "It's time to fix this problem and make sure another generations of Americans does not have to fight this murderous, savage adversary."

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