Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Block the Deployment of Ground Troops in Syria
Washington, D.C. – Today, following news that President Trump has deployed marine troops to Syria, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a bipartisan bill that would prohibit the expansion of United States combat troops into Syria. Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement upon the introduction of H.R. 1473, The Prohibit Expansion of U.S. Combat Troops into Syria Act:
“For more than fifteen years, the U.S. has been engaged in an ever-expanding war in the Middle East. President Trump’s deployment of combat troops in Syria is the latest front in this endless war. In 2001, I was the lone member of Congress to vote against handing President Bush a blank check for war. Fifteen years later, this Authorization for the Use of Military Force is still being used to justify military actions around the globe, including this new deployment into Syria.
“I strongly object to the White House’s decision to unilaterally place U.S. boots on the ground in Syria. President Trump’s action today shows the consequences of allowing military escalation to persist without Congressional oversight. We simply cannot allow this blank check to remain on the books. The Constitution is clear: Congress must debate, vote and authorize the use of military force in matters of war and peace.
“The bill I am introducing today prohibits the Department of Defense from funding any attempt by the Administration to expand our presence in Syria by putting U.S. combat boots on the ground. It is our constitutional duty as Members of Congress to place a check on the Executive Branch in matters of war and peace. We owe it to our brave service members to live up to our constitutional duty. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in preventing this president from sending our troops into yet another unchecked, ill-advised war without a full and robust debate from Congress.”
The text of the bill can be found here.
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