Rep. Murphy Statement on Syria

Statement

Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18) today released the following statement after the Administration had concluded the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks against civilians during an August 21 raid near Damascus:

"We are gravely concerned over the storage, assembly, and use of chemical agents by the Assad regime against the people of Syria. But at this point, the President has not laid out his case to the American people why it is in our national interest to pursue a military response. Compounding the problem is that the Administration has not articulated a clear agenda or coherent strategy in the Middle East. The region has lurched from crisis to crisis, leading us to the point where the region is dangerously destabilized, yet our country's agenda in this sphere remains unknown."

On Wednesday, Congressman Murphy joined 140 Republican and Democrat colleagues in a letter to the President calling on him to secure congressional authorization for a military strike on Syria. Later in the day, Speaker Boehner followed suit and called on the President to make the case to Congress and the American people. The Speaker listed specific questions that need to be answered, such as "What is the intended effect of the potential military strikes" and "What result is the Administration seeking from the strike?"

Rep. Murphy continued, "Congress needs to be engaged in a decision-making process of such enormous military consequence, and give prior authorization for military action under the War Powers Resolution. I am ready to return to Washington at a moment's notice to review the intelligence, consider the Administration's plan and strategy in Syria, examine the consequences of any military action, and determine what the outcome is that we want. Will it be regime change to oust Assad? An attempt to take out the chemical warfare capabilities? All these items need to be deliberated and Congress must be part of that deliberation."

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