Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after Signing Letter Urging President Trump to Seek Authorization from Congress Before Use of Military Force

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement after recent U.S. military airstrikes in Syria and signing letter urging President Trump to seek authorization from Congress before further use of military force:

“Creating more destruction, chaos, misery, and death in Syria will not solve the humanitarian crisis there, and it will not hold to account Bashar al-Assad or any other perpetrators of war crimes in that country’s ongoing civil war,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “These airstrikes against the Assad regime are unconstitutional and illegal, resulting in continuous civilian harm. We have seen the Trump Administration perform military strikes in Syria, but these strikes do not yield a solution to end the war.

The United States should take a strong stance for genuine diplomacy that can resolve this conflict and prevent further atrocities against civilians. That is why last week, I signed a congressional letter requesting that the president come to Congress to ask for an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Congress has sole constitutional authority to debate this matter and vote on this illegal escalation in Syria.

If we plan to alleviate the human suffering in Syria then the United States should create a comprehensive strategy involving our international allies.”  

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