Senators stress Iran action at O.U. event

U.S. senators emphasized increased action against Iran at the Orthodox Union’s annual luncheon in Washington, D.C. Also at the luncheon, held Wednesday in the Hart Senate Office Building, the senators stressed national security and reiterated their support of Israel.”We must address the Iranian challenge to our security,”said Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), adding that diplomacy without threat of military action is ineffective. Presidential candidate Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) echoed Lieberman’s sentiment, calling for a divestiture campaign against Iran. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of an Orthodox synagogue in Baltimore, focused on a Senate energy bill.”There is no better way to protect the interest of this country than to become energy independent,” he said.Other senators who addressed the gathering were Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Mark Pryor (D-Ariz.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).