President Biden's decision to launch air strikes on the Houthis has won him some praise from Republicans in Congress, but also criticism from some fellow Democrats.

US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said: "I welcome the US and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels. President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue."

Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said "this strike was two months overdue, but it is a good first step toward restoring deterrence in the Red Sea".

On the Democrat side, California representative Ro Khanna said: "The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another Middle East conflict. That is Article 1 of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House."

That criticism was echoed by Democrat representative Mark Pocan from Wisconsin, who said: "The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these air strikes in Yemen".