Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Ranking Member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement regarding the situation in Syria.
"The President announced yesterday he will seek Congressional authorization for the use of military force in Syria after the Assad Regime used chemical weapons against its own people killing more than 1,400 civilians, including women and children. The Assad Regime's actions are reprehensible and violate the 1925 Geneva Protocol outlawing the use of chemical and biological gases. In a civilized society, the world cannot stand by and allow the use of chemical weapons to go undeterred and unpunished. We do not want to set a precedent where other countries think they can use weapons of mass destruction against their own people.
There is no greater responsibility than deciding on questions of this magnitude. Before deciding, Members of Congress must deliberate, carefully and prudently weighing the costs of action against the costs of inaction. I look forward to this discussion."