OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

Date: June 19, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GIBSON. I thank my friend and colleague.

Madam Chair, if another country gave arms to a rebel group or another country for the express purpose of attacking our country, we would view that act as an act of war. But for some reason, we don't hold ourselves to that same standard.

If it is the intent of the administration to give arms to any group then, under our Constitution, the administration must first come here and debate it on the floor and get authorization from the people's representatives.

So, Madam Chair, I oppose us getting involved in the Syrian civil war. I believe that there is more that we can do diplomatically to isolate the Assad regime, but I don't think giving arms to any rebel group is in our best interest.

But most certainly, if that is ever to occur, there first has to be an authorization. So I urge my colleague to support this amendment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward