Durbin Statement on the Situation in Syria
Washington, D.C. – Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the situation in Syria:
“The President gave a powerful and historic speech this afternoon, challenging Congress and the American people to begin a debate about how to respond to the atrocities in Syria. As we decide what, if anything, we will do as nation to respond, the President has called for a national conversation and for Congress to approve any use of force. That is the right first step.”
“What has happened in Syria is a moral outrage. Syrian President Assad has used chemical weapons against his own people, including hundreds of children. The civilized world must now decide how to respond.”
“But in my conversations and briefings over the last few days, one thing has been made clear: no US troops will be committed to fight in Syria. We have ended the war in Iraq and are winding down the war in Afghanistan – the longest war in our nation’s history. The cost of human lives and treasure to our country over the last 12 years of war has been overwhelming. If we can do something to discourage Assad and others like him from using chemical weapons without engaging in a war and without making a long-term military commitment of the United States, I’m open to that debate.”
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