Rubio Comments On Obama Announcement To Seek Aid For Syrian Opposition

Statement

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's announcement to seek $500 million from Congress to aid members of the Syrian opposition:

"There should no longer be any question that what is happening in Syria directly impacts U.S. national security. The consequences of the Obama Administration's inaction and inability to articulate and implement a coherent Syria strategy is now painfully evident across the Middle East, especially in Iraq, and now threatens U.S. partners such as Jordan.

"While I await the details of this announcement, I'm supportive of the President's decision to seek $500 million in assistance to train and arm vetted, moderate rebels in Syria. This is long overdue and the U.S. must lead, with European and regional partners, in helping to develop a cadre of fighters who will alienate ISIL and al Nusra Islamic extremists, and take the fight directly to Bashar al-Assad.

"The current turmoil in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere was foreseeable and the result of a rudderless foreign policy that has only contributed to endangering American interests and emboldening our enemies. We must act now to reverse this trend with a robust commitment on behalf of the Department of Defense and Department of State to tackle this problem while ensuring any weapons we provide do not end up in the wrong hands. We do not have any more time to waste."

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