Fitzpatrick to President: Consult Congress on Syria

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released the following statement Thursday regarding his decision to sign on to a bipartisan letter urging President Obama to reconvene Congress before pursuing any military involvement in Syria:

"The alleged, deliberate use of chemical weapons in Syria is a transgression universally recognized as a crime against humanity.

While the United States should continue to stand with our international allies in condemning this alleged act as inspectors within Syria continue to investigate, the decision to use military force- in what is a complex and quickly changing conflict- should not be made hastily. Nor should it be a decision made without consultation with Congress.

To that end, I have joined 140 fellow lawmakers- from both sides of the aisle- in communicating to the president we are ready to reconvene Congress immediately to deliberate this weighty decision. The support for Congressman Scott Rigell's (R-VA) effort to involve Congress in the decision-making process shows a clear bipartisan understanding for the role of the Congress in acts of military involvement, as well as a deep respect for the Constitution which enumerates that role."

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