Marino maintains opposition to intervention in Syria

For Immediate Release
September 4, 2013

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Tom Marino questioned witnesses at a hearing on Wednesday, September 4, regarding the Obama Administration’s request for congressional authorization to use U.S. military force in response to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s use of chemical weapons against civilians.  Rep. Marino issued the following statement after the hearing:

“The testimony of Secretary Kerry and Secretary Hagel failed to offer a clear understanding of the Obama Administration’s objectives in the use of U.S. military force in Syria.  Secretary Hagel could not clarify who our allies are in Syria’s civil war, whether or not they are trustworthy, and failed to give a clear assessment as to the cost of this mission.  The administration’s use of military force would not bring a peaceful end to the Syrian civil war, remove Assad and his regime from power, or stop the butchery of innocent life.  Instead, the U.S. would be acting alone in a hostile nation simply to assert a principle, as Secretary Kerry stated.

“I continue to oppose any U.S. intervention in Syria and refuse to support legislation that will authorize the use of military force.  I do not see how any of my colleagues, including my own party leadership, could support the president’s request given the answers we heard today.”

-30-