Statement of Rep. Jackson Lee on Syria

Press Statement

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement in response to the President’s address to the nation regarding the situation in Syria:

“Tonight the President explained why the United States cannot turn a blind eye or deaf ear to the threat to American interests and internationals norms posed by the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime that killed innocent civilians, including hundreds of children. As the President stated, if the United States of America and the international community ‘fail to act, the Assad regime will see no reason to stop using chemical weapons’ and ‘as the ban against these weapons erodes, other tyrants will have no reason to think twice about acquiring poison gas and using them’ on their own people or even against American troops on the battlefield. The President reminded us of our humanity by referring to the dead bodies of Syrian children on cold hospital floors as a result of being attacked by chemical weapons.

“We cannot let the chemical weapons of today become the conventional weapons of tomorrow. The question before us is how to best achieve this goal.

“While demonstrating conviction and resolve, President Obama also has acted wisely in listening to the American people and consulting their representatives in the Congress and in his willingness to explore diplomatic solutions to this crisis.  I support him in this effort and I remain committed to reviewing all of the classified information before I make a decision on behalf of my constituents who have been very vocal in their concern about our country entering into another war. I agree with them.

“Now we have a chance to secure a diplomatic and peaceful solution that might achieve the goal of deterring and preventing Syria from using these awful weapons again. Success in this effort may also help lead to the end of the civil war raging in Syria and enable Syrian men, women, and children to lead normal lives free of fear and want and war. 

The President’s credible threat of military force has led to the unprecedented acknowledgment by the Assad regime that it possessed chemical weapons and its expressed willingness to sign and comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention. I think the delay on a Congressional vote is a wise and effective decision which will enable all of us to work toward peace which should be the final objective of all sides involved.”

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Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas’s 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security