Hoyer Statement on Reports of the Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today following reports that Assad’s regime used chemical weapons against civilians in the Idlib province:

“If reports of a severe chemical weapons strike by the Syrian government against civilians in the Idlib province are true, they represent an outrageous war crime that cannot be allowed to pass without holding its perpetrators accountable.  Already, the Assad regime has taken to using chlorine gas against civilian areas, in violation of its promise to give up its stockpiles of chemical weapons.  This would be the latest in a horrible sequence of gross violations the likes of which we have not seen in recent history.  The world’s silence only further empowers Assad and his backers, including Iran and Russia.  President Trump has a choice: he can either condone these crimes through silence and by cozying up to the Russians who are backing the Assad government or he can work to hold them accountable for this outrage.”