Foreign Affairs
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
Over the last few weeks, America has been faced with devastating stories and images from Syria, where the Assad regime used chemical weapons against his own people, including women and children. I stand in support of President Obama’s call to authorize limited but decisive military action, and also support his efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution that provides confidence to the international community that S
“As you saw we had the 41st vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, today. Notwithstanding that, we didn't do anything else. That bill won't have any future. And we did not do what we need to do, and that is ensure that the government doesn't shut down on October 1st.
“Certainly I think [a diplomatic solution with Syria] is a very positive possibility. And if it bears fruit, it's going to be a very good resolution of this issue.
"I believe that the President tonight made a compelling case to respond militarily to the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. He also made clear that Assad must take immediate steps in order to demonstrate his sincerity about verifiable disarmament. I support the President’s efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution that provides confidence to the world that Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal will be swiftly moved to international safekeeping with a view toward its eventual destruction.
“Thank you very much, Leader. I join the Leader in supporting the President’s posture. I believe that the President is right to suggest the use of military force in order to prevent, constrain, prohibit the use of chemical weapons which for over 100 years has been perceived by the international community at large as unacceptable to be used in any form of warfare. I am for giving the President the authority and will vote to do so in an appropriate resolution.
Today’s vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was an important first step to give the President the authority he needs to take decisive action to deter the Assad regime from further use of chemical weapons and degrade its capacity to do so.
“I support the President’s call for authorizing limited but decisive military action in response to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in Syria. While recognizing that the details of the authorization language have yet to be finalized, the use of chemical weapons, including against innocent children, is intolerable and cannot go unanswered.
"President Obama has carefully weighed the case for taking action along with our international partners to respond forcefully to the Syrian regime's deadly and nefarious use of chemical weapons. Now it is time for Congress, as the representatives of the American people, to do the same.
I continue to be deeply concerned about the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people – action which demands outrage from the international community and cannot be tolerated.
The repeated use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government against its own people is an appalling and blatant violation of international laws and abuse of human rights that cannot be tolerated and must be condemned.