News Home

Military force in Syria by Rep. Virginia Foxx

At this time, I do not believe the use of military force in Syria, as sought by the President, is the appropriate response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons; nor is it the best defense of America’s national security interests. Thus, after carefully considering President Obama’s request and reviewing classified information provided by the White House, I will not support the current proposal to authorize military force in Syria.

The people of North Carolina’s 5th District overwhelmingly agree with my opposition to committing American troops and assets to an ill-conceived, ‘shot across the bow’ campaign in the midst of Syrian tumult. In the days since President Obama announced his intention to engage our military, and in the months leading up to it, no compelling case has been made by the Administration to suggest that its desired military action is in our country’s immediate interest or worth assuming the myriad risks associated with such an undertaking at this time. The Administration’s objectives for engagement remain unclear and leave the American public doubting whether authorizing force would deter the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by unstable regimes.

The Assad regime should face consequences for employing and continuing the proliferation of chemical weapons in its ongoing civil war. But until we can conclude that the application of American military power is the best way to protect the American people, our allies or our interests, it does not serve our country to risk American lives and waste American resources in Syria.