Politics & Government

Should the U.S. Attack Syria?

Congresswoman Speier says U.S. should not 'bomb for the sake of bombing.'

President Obama on Saturday decided to seek approval from Congress before launching any military strikes against Syria.

His decision comes after mounting evidence that the government is using chemical weapons against its citizens.

Sixty congressional representatives this week signed a letter to the president condemning Syria's use of chemical weapons.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) Friday released the following statement on the situation in Syria and the prospects of U.S. involvement in the region:

"As intelligence reports continue to show, the Assad regime in Syria has acted brutally against its own citizens.

"However, any decision by the U.S. to intervene should not be made in haste. The U.S. must act strategically, with stability and long-term consequences in mind; we should not engage in ‘bombing for the sake of bombing’. I continue to urge the President to allow Congress to fully debate military action before a final decision is made. The U.S. should also continue to make its case with our international allies and not act unilaterally.

"We must balance our commitment to being defenders of peace with a sober assessment of what military action means for the region and for our own national interests."

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Senator Dianne Feinstein released a statement Friday stating that,  "...the world cannot let such a heinous attack pass without a meaningful response, and I hope the international community will take appropriate action.”

Do you think it was a wise decision by the president to seek congressional approval? Or should the U.S. act now without delay? Tell us in the comments below.


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