Our congressional delegation on U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites

What Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks, along with Rep. Jim Baird, had to say after Saturday’s strikes. Plus, are you set for Game 7, Pacers and Thunder?

• Thanks to sponsor Stuart & Branigin for continued support of the Based in Lafayette reporting project.

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OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ON BOMBING OF IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITES

Here’s what the congressional delegation that represents Greater Lafayette and surrounding communities had to say after President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of three nuclear facilities in Iran, a move Saturday that drew the U.S. into an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Sen. Todd Young, an Indiana Republican, earlier in the week posted that he stood “ready to work with the administration should any congressional authorization be necessary” in the fight between Iran and Israel.

After Saturday’s U.S. bombings, Young said in statement: “Thank you to our brave service members who executed this mission. The world will be safer if Iran’s nuclear capability is destroyed. I look forward to briefings in the coming days.”

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Sen. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, continued his enthusiastic support of President Trump, posting these statements after the U.S. bombings:

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Rep. Jim Baird, a Greencastle Republican who represents Indiana’s 4th District, which includes Tippecanoe County and surrounding counties, on June 14 told reporters at Newsmax that he backed Israel’s action in a fight with Iran. Baird, asked about U.S. involvement in stopping Iran’s nuclear program, said that “if we can continue to prevent that from happening, I think it's extremely important.” And asked whether he thought the U.S. could be dragged into a long-term war between Israel and Iran, “Baird said he knows Trump would prefer a peaceful settlement for the Middle East. ‘But as long as you've got these types of people in the area and stirring up this kind of activity, we're going to continue to have to decide what we want to do,’ said the congressman.”

In a formal statement June 17, after Israel struck Iran, Baird backed Israel’s actions: “The U.S. has been clear: Iran cannot and will not obtain a nuclear weapon. President Trump has given Iran every opportunity to dismantle their nuclear program and make a deal in good faith. Iran has failed to come to the table. Iran has also been the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Iran backed Hamas’ horrific Oct. 7 attack that murdered nearly 1,200 Israelis and 46 Americans and took hundreds of innocent people hostage. Iran has long sought the destruction of Israel and used proxies to attack our greatest ally in the Middle East. Israel has the right to take action to defend itself. I will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds, and I stand with our ally Israel in its fight for its very existence.”

After Saturday’s U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, Baird issued this statement: "The president has been consistent and clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. President Trump gave Iran every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran failed to come to an agreement and has terrorized Israel and Americans for decades. Thanks to President Trump’s decisive action, three of Iran’s key nuclear enrichment sites have been decimated. May God bless our brave, heroic troops for successfully completing this mission, and I thank them for their outstanding service to our country. God bless America."

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GAME 7: PACERS AND THUNDER

All right, who do you have tonight in Game 7?

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EARLY MORNING CONSTRUCTION UPDATE, DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE: Heads up if you live in downtown Lafayette or find yourself downtown early Tuesday morning: Crews working on the John Purdue Block project, along Second Street between South and Columbia streets, will be pour concrete starting at 3 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, according to city officials. The timing of the work, approved by the city, will help developers Meyer Najem deal the rising temperatures during the current heat advisory. According to the company: “We are seeing accelerated evaporation at the top layer of our concrete pours, which can lead to concrete finish issues, particularly with the thickness of post-tensioned (PT) slabs. … This early start will allow crews to place and finish a significant volume of concrete before temperatures and wind speeds increase, helping preserve slab integrity and finish quality.” The $56.9 million redevelopment of the John Purdue Block is designed to include 157 apartment units in an L-shaped development that wraps around the original brick buildings built in the 19th century by John Purdue and most recently was home to Sgt. Preston’s bar and restaurant.

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AND, FINALLY …: EXTEND YOUR BASED IN LAFAYETTE SUBSCRIPTION BY CHIPPING IN FOR CASAs FOR KIDS FUND: The 2025 edition of the Subaru CASA Cycling Challenge, a 24-hour event held Aug. 2-3 at the two-mile Subaru of Indiana Automotive test track in Lafayette, will again have a version of Bangert Brothers team there to put in some laps in support to the CASAs for Kids Fund here in Tippecanoe County.

The CASAs for Kids Fund is set up for abused or neglected kids who wind up in the court system and in foster care, offering funding for clothing, bedding, school band instruments, field trip or summer camp fees, dance class, equipment to join sports teams and other things the system can’t provide. The CASAs for Kids Fund gets them that stuff and gets them that much closer to a normal life as a kid. And fundraising tied to the 24-hour ride gets the CASAs for Kids Fund geared up for the next year.

Just like last year, I’ll add a free month to your full-access Based in Lafayette subscription for a donation of any amount to the Bangert Brothers team or team members.

Thanks for generosity of those of you who have already chipped in.

If you’re game, here’s the link.

Thanks, again, to sponsor Stuart & Branigin for continued support of the Based in Lafayette reporting project.

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