More Troops, More War – Still No Debate
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following President Obama’s speech in Hannover, Germany announcing the deployment of an additional 250 troops to Syria:
“Nearly every day, we see the U.S. mission in Iraq and Syria creep closer and closer toward all-out war, while Congress refuses to muster the courage to even debate it.
In January, both Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell called for a debate; four months later, neither have brought a debate to the Floor.
It is past time for Congress to rein in this dangerous mission creep and get serious about our Constitutional responsibility to debate this war. The American people deserve to understand the costs and consequences of this rapidly escalating war.
The national security experts are clear: there is no military solution to ISIL. While we must dismantle ISIL, we must enact a comprehensive strategy to help stabilize the region. Before another American is sent to the Middle East, I urge Speaker Ryan to hold this debate.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Democrat Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity.