I received this email from Cong. Tim Huelskamp today: September 4, 2013 Dear Mrs. McGinness, Thank you for contacting me regarding the ongoing crisis in Syria and the response from the United States. I appreciate your thoughts on this matter, and I welcome the opportunity to respond. While fully understanding the conflict in Syria requires a careful study of the history of the country and the rebel opposition movement, I wanted to respond to your specific concerns regarding U.S. military involvement. As you know, the reports of a mass casualty chemical weapon attack in the suburbs of Damascus has escalated debate regarding U.S. intervention in Syria’s bloody civil war. Congress has the sole authority to declare war — not the President. The President does not have power under the Constitution to authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation. President Obama has sought the approval of Congress regarding this issue and Congress will vote next week on an Authorization for Military Force for military engagement in Syria. I have reviewed the proposal by President Obama and cannot support authorizing military force in Syria at this time. This decision represents the unanimous opinion of those I have spoken with across the Big First District at the over 14 town halls I have hosted in the last month. Ultimately, I have seen no evidence of an American national interest in this Syrian civil war. Just as his misadventures in Libya in 2011 — which I opposed — President Obama risks American lives, property and prestige by injecting us into Syria. It was John Kerry who asked in a hearing in 1971, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” And 42 years later, I cannot in good conscience ask one of the 19,000 soldiers posted at Fort Riley to be the first. Even the U.S. military has recognized military action cannot even begin to resolve the complicated underlying historic, ethnic, religious and tribal issues fueling the conflict in Syria. And with no clear strategy for peace and resolution beyond the proposed targeted air strikes, there is no reason for us to enter into this quagmire. Please know I am monitoring the issue closely and I hope you will join me in praying for peace and reconciliation among the Syrian people. Sincerely, Tim Huelskamp
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 21:58:08 +0000
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