"Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."
Congressman John Culberson
"Confirmation of Osama bin Laden's death comes at a time when calls for freedom and liberty are sweeping the Arab world. His death represents the removal of a dying ideology and a victory for those who risks their lives every day in the search for freedom. As the battle against terrorism continues and their service is required, I would like to commend our military and intelligence services for their tireless efforts. May God bless them and their families."
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn
"In the aftermath of 9/11, President Bush promised a fearful, grieving nation that those individuals responsible for this atrocity would be brought to justice. Now, nearly a decade after those horrific attacks, President Obama informs us that justice has finally been served. Let this serve as a grave reminder to all those who wish to do our nation harm: If you murder Americans, you will be hunted, you will be found and you will be brought to justice. I commend the military and intelligence professionals whose tremendous efforts ended the reign of this terrorist mastermind. While this will never bring their loved ones back, it is my hope that this will somehow ease the pain of the families of those who were lost on September 11th, 2001."
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
"The President's announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been killed by American forces is a crowning moment in the war against terrorism, and it is a testament to the skill and professionalism of the men and women of our military and intelligence agencies. Though this accomplishment is a historic achievement for the United States, it does not lessen our resolve to pursue terrorists who threaten our Nation, and Bin Laden's death serves as an important message to terrorists around the world that the United States will not compromise in the fight against terrorism. Additionally, we will continue to renew and reinvigorate our efforts to uphold and protect our values of democracy, justice, and fairness. It is my hope that this will bring comfort to those families who lost loved ones in the tragic events of the 9/11 attacks, and I want to thank President Obama and the men and women of our military and intelligence agencies for their tireless efforts in the fight to preserve and protect the United States of America."
Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military and intelligence community. Their persistence and dedicated service has yielded success in a mission that has gripped our nation since the terrible events of 9/11. Tonight's news does not bring back the lives of the thousands of innocent people who were killed that day by Osama bin Laden's horrific plan, and it does not end the threat posed by terrorists, but it is my hope that this is the beginning of the end of Sharia-compliant terrorism."
President Bill Clinton
"This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaida's other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children."I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks."
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
"Our mission has always been to take down Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda, the terrorist network that killed thousands of innocent Americans on September 11, 2001. That mission has now been accomplished through the patience and steadfast determination of our military, our intelligence officials, and the united leadership of Presidents Bush and Obama. Now we must continue to dismantle this and other terrorist networks that attempt to destroy freedom and human rights throughout the world."
Mitt Romney
"This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist."
Sen. John McCain, R-AZ, top Republican on Senate Armed Services Committee:
"I am overjoyed that we finally got the world's top terrorist. The world is a better and more just place now that Osama bin Laden is no longer in it. I hope the families of the victims of the September 11th attacks will sleep easier tonight and every night hence knowing that justice has been done. I commend the President and his team, as well as our men and women in uniform and our intelligence professionals, for this superb achievement. But while we take heart in the news that Osama bin Laden is dead, we must be mindful that al-Qaeda and its terrorist allies are still lethal and determined enemies, and we must remain vigilant to defeat them."
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, top Senate Republican:
"The death of Osama bin Laden marks a long-awaited end to the work of the man responsible for the 9/11 attacks. No one who remembers the horror of that day can help but feel relieved that Osama bin Laden is dead. This is a great victory in the War on Terror and for all who have worked so tirelessly over the years to thwart the monstrous designs of this madman and his disciples. On September 11, 2001, America came together and vowed that we would never forget the memory of those whose lives were lost on that terrible day. Tonight's announcement shows that we have made good on that pledge. It is proof that no matter how difficult or how long it takes, our military, intelligence forces and law enforcement officials will never stop until the job is done. America celebrates tonight, and is grateful for the heroic efforts of the many men and women around the world who have fought and who are still fighting to protect the world from terrorism. Though they may never make the headlines, we are ever mindful of their many sacrifices. This war on terror continues, but we can be happy tonight that with the death of Osama bin Laden, the world is a better place."
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY:
"This is a thunderous strike for justice for the thousands of my fellow New Yorkers -- and citizens from all over the world -- who were murdered on 9/11. It took close to ten years, but the world's most wanted terrorist has finally met his deserved fate. New York's heart is still broken from the tragedy of 9/11, but this at least brings some measure of closure and consolation to the victims and their families. This is a massive accomplishment for the countless military and intelligence personnel who have been urgently dedicated to this task for the past decade. Because Bin Laden's evil dogma has poisoned the minds of so many others, we cannot let up in the war on terror. This successful mission sends a definitive message to those who would test the resolve of the people of the United States of America: do not doubt our resolve; if you do us harm, we will find you, we will mete out justice, and we will prevail."
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, Senate's #2 Democrat:
"I was advised by Vice President Biden this Sunday evening that Osama bin Laden has been killed. Though this is not the end of the threat of terrorism, it is a clear warning to our enemies that when they threaten and kill Americans, they will be pursued and held accountable. Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to our intelligence community and military for pursuing this manhunt for almost ten years and successfully eliminating the most high profile terrorist on earth. Those who believed bin Laden and his network were invincible will now awaken to a new reality."
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, top Republican on US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence:
"This is a historic moment for the U.S. special operations and intelligence communities. I highly commend the special operations units who undertook this mission and carried it out with no injuries to women or children inside the compound. The CIA and others in the U.S. intelligence community did a phenomenal job over several months in carrying out this assignment."
Reverend Jesse Jackson
"President Obama's announcement tonight that Osama bin Laden has been killed is historic---one the world has anticipated for nearly ten years. This is a case where revenge is redemption. Bin Laden incurred the wrath of the world for being the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks on innocent people. His death closes a major chapter in the War Against Terror and is a victory for President Obama's leadership, but it does not close the book. Celebration should be tempered as suffering from terrorism continues around the world. We must work relentlessly to put an end to it wherever it is found."
