From ‘Insane and Dangerous’ to ‘Assad Must Go’: Congress Reacts to Syria Strike
Various members of Congress have weighed in on President Donald Trump‘s decision to launch 59 tomahawk missiles on a Syrian airfield Thursday night — with the reaction mostly coming down along party lines, with a few exceptions.
On the Republican side, Paul Ryan, John McCain, and Lindsey Graham were among the notables to back Trump’s decision to strike.
joint statement of support for @realDonaldTrump decision to strike #Syria from @LindseyGrahamSC @SenJohnMcCain pic.twitter.com/4hhJ4meaEz
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) April 7, 2017
This action in Syria was appropriate and just.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/oIlOT65zTC
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) April 7, 2017
My statement in response to U.S. missile strikes in #Syria: pic.twitter.com/8oL0QlpIeS
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) April 7, 2017
Assad’s inhumanity in Syria will not be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/JbfFbqsgcK
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) April 7, 2017
My statement following the U.S. military’s airstrikes in Syria. pic.twitter.com/hG560Tue1t
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) April 7, 2017
But Rand Paul broke from his party and voiced his opposition to the military action, particularly without Congressional authorization.
While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, the United States was not attacked.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 7, 2017
The President needs Congressional authorization for military action as required by the Constitution.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 7, 2017
Our prior interventions in this region have done nothing to make us safer and Syria will be no different.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 7, 2017
As for the democrats, the party line seems to be a tepid endorsement of the strikes — with the caveat that if President Trump wants to go any further, he should seek Congressional approval.
My statement on tonight’s U.S. missile strikes in Syria pic.twitter.com/nLcHq6jS01
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 7, 2017
.@POTUS has a responsibility to inform Congress & the American people of his larger Syria policy and the legal basis for this action pic.twitter.com/fAhLOI68ui
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) April 7, 2017
Tonight’s airstrikes will not displace Assad, but may deter chem weapon use. Actions in Syria still not authorized by Congress. Need a vote: pic.twitter.com/UiSNCb8p6Q
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) April 7, 2017
There were a few GOP hardliners, however, who were totally opposed to military intervention in Syria.
.@realDonaldTrump‘s approach to #Syria is insane & dangerous. If vital to national security- why wasn’t Congress made aware? https://t.co/LSCLyqwgai
— Bonnie WatsonColeman (@RepBonnie) April 7, 2017
#bigmistake pic.twitter.com/u3xFXrTR6m
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 7, 2017
This is an act of war. Congress needs to come back into session & hold a debate. Anything less is an abdication of our responsibility. https://t.co/GvHML3ByeI
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 7, 2017
[image via screengrab]
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