U.S. Congressman Tim Huelskamp, representing Kansas’ First District issued the following statement in response after President Barack Obama announced his intention to seek Congressional approval to take military action against the Syrian regime in response to alleged chemical attacks against Syrian citizens:
“While President Obama apparently debates how many American lives and funds he wishes to risk in the Syrian civil war, he needs to be reminded that Congress has the sole authority to declare War – not the President. The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation. I am pleased that the President has now decided to come to Congress to authorize any action taken in Syria.”
“In recent days I have hosted 14 town halls, and the unanimous opinion of Kansans has been clear: stay out of this quagmire. I agree. I have seen no evidence of an American national interest in this Syrian civil war. Just like his misadventures in Libya in 2011 – which I opposed – President Obama risks American lives, property and prestige by injecting us into Syria.”
