Congress backs Syria strike, wants strategy
Some take issue with lack of consultation
WASHINGTON — Republican and Democratic lawmakers reacted swiftly to the news Friday that the Unitedstates,britainandfrance had launched airstrikes on Syria in retaliationforasuspectedattackon civilians by President Bashar Assad.
Both parties condemned the Syrian action and applauded the allied response, but Democrats were joined by some Republicans in criticizing the strikes without congressional approval.
President Donald Trump said he had ordered the precision airstrikes in response to a “significant escalation” by the Syrian government to use chemical weapons in the civil war.
Sen.deanheller,r-nev.,saidthe Assad regime’s “use of chemical weaponsthatledtothemurderof dozensofsyrians,manyofthem children,isbarbaricandaclearviolation of international law.”
Heller said the U.S. response is a clear message to the Assad regime: “Americawillnottolerateachemical attack on innocent civilians.”
Democrats in the Nevada congressional delegation also condemned the Syrian attack on its people and agreed with the allied nations’ response.
Butdemocraticreps.dinatitus andrubenkihuensaidthetrump administration needs to work with Congress and Western allies on a long-term plan in Syria and hot spots in the Middle East.
Titussaidthepresidentneedsto consult with Congress on the authorizationofuseofmilitaryforce.she said the chemical weapons attack by Assad “is yet another heinous moment in this deadly conflict.”
“Whatisneedednowisforthe president to lay out a long-term strategy for Syria,” Titus said, noting that Trump last week stated his intent to remove U.S. troops from Syria.
“Only a long-term strategy in partnership with our NATO allies will bring about a resolution to this conflict,”titussaid.
Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-nev., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the “forceful and targeted response sends a powerful signal.”
She also called for the administra- tion to work with lawmakers to craft a plan “to end the conflict in Syria.”
Kihuen said there is a need to take action against Syria. But the congressman wants the president to work with lawmakers to outline a comprehensive strategy in the Middle East, his Washington spokesman said.
Vice President Mike Pence, travelinginlima,peru,notifiedcongressional leaders by telephone about the airstrikes.
Pence called Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., but was unable to talk with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who was on a plane, according to the vice president’s deputy chief of staff and communications director.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-wis., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi,d-calif.,weretoldbypence about the airstrikes, according to the vice president’s spokesman.
Sen.johnmccain,r-ariz.,chairmanofthesenatearmedservices Committee, agreed with the airstrikes but also called for a Middle East strategyandurgedthepresidenttolayout his goals for the region.
“Airstrikes disconnected from a broader strategy may be necessary, but they alone will not achieve U.S. objectivesinthemiddleeast,”mcCain said in a statement.
Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@ reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.