Schatz Statement on U.S. Military Strike in Syria

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the U.S. military strike in Syria.

“The Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons is abhorrent, but a military response is not the answer.  The president has failed to articulate a strategy to end the Syrian civil war.  A one-off strike may satisfy our desire to hold Assad accountable, but it risks deeper escalation without any sense of direction or objective.  And unless this conflict ends, we will never defeat ISIL and prevent its return.  Regardless, Congress must debate and authorize any escalation of U.S. military involvement against the Syria regime, as it is well beyond the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.  The United States must focus on leading a diplomatic effort among our partners and allies in the region to achieve a political solution that results in a post-Assad Syrian government that brings stability to the region.”

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