Rep. Barbara Lee (CA), one of a select few Honorable Members of Congress who opposed 43’s illegal invasion of Iraq, has written a letter concerning Syria to 44 in the last 24 hours. Here’s the letter.
Dear Mr. President:
We join you and the international community in expressing unequivocal condemnation over the news that chemical weapons were reportedly used by the government of Syria. While we believe that as Commander in Chief you must do what is necessary to protect our national security, Congress has the Constitutional obligation and power to approve military force if the United States has not been attacked or threatened with an attack. As such, we strongly urge you to seek an affirmative decision of Congress prior to committing any U.S. military engagement to this complex crisis.
While the ongoing human rights violations and continued loss of life is unacceptable, we must not repeat the mistakes of the past. We strongly support the work within the United Nations Security Council to build international consensus condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons; we should also allow the U.N. inspectors the space and time necessary to do their jobs, which are so crucial to ensuring accountability.
As elected officials, we have a duty to represent the will and priorities of our constituents. Before weighing the use of military force, Congress must fully debate and consider the facts and every alternative, as well as determine how best to end the violence and protect civilians. We stand ready to work with you.
Sincerely,
BARBARA LEE
