Paul, Lee: Congress needs to vote on Trump's military action in Syria

[corbe]

Paul, Lee: Congress needs to vote on Trump's military action in Syria

 By Jordain Carney - 04/06/17 06:57 PM EDT 

A pair of libertarian-leaning GOP senators are calling on President Trump to get congressional authorization before taking military action against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said on Thursday if the president is going to increase the U.S. military involvement in Syria, he should "follow the Constitution" and ask Congress to authorize the use of force.

“President Trump should make his case in front of the American people and allow their elected representatives to debate the benefits and risks of further Middle East intervention to our national security interests," he said in a statement.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a frequent ally of Lee's on military issues, separately told Fox News that he is "against going to any war without a vote."

Their push for Trump to seek a formal authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) comes as the president is inching closer to military action targeting the Syrian regime.

CNN reported on Thursday that that Trump told lawmakers that he's considering action in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed more than 70 civilians. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) separately confirmed with reporters that he spoke by phone with Trump about Syria.
 
The push from Paul and Lee for Congress to approve military actions against Assad comes as lawmakers have been stalemated for years over a separate AUMF targeting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

McCain told reporters that while he thinks Congress should pass a new AUMF he also believes Trump currently has the authority to carry out strikes targeting Syria's aircraft.

Lee added on Thursday he would support cutting short an upcoming two-week recess that is scheduled to start on Friday so lawmakers can debate increasing military action.

“I stand ready to stay in Washington, or come back to Washington, in order to properly consider any further military action and the national security interests of the American people," he said.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/327719-paul-lee-congress-needs-to-vote-on-trumps-military-action-in-syria

[libertybele]

This is the moment that many have been waiting for ... will he go all "Trump" and bypass Congress or ... will he listen?

[geronl]

hopefully there will be nothing to vote on

[LonestarDream]

hopefully there will be nothing to vote on

If recollection serves, the last gas attack in Syria was supposedly a false flag operation.

Want to make sure that the Syrian Gov is really the perp here.

[BigU]

I agree with McCain, commence shooting Syrian planes out of the skies already!

[skeeter]

If recollection serves, the last gas attack in Syria was supposedly a false flag operation.

Want to make sure that the Syrian Gov is really the perp here.

Thats right. After 8 years why the rush? Let the UN investigate.

Seems like the War Party is trying to buffalo Trump.

[LonestarDream]

Thats right. After 8 years why the rush? Let the UN investigate.

Seems like the War Party is trying to buffalo Trump.

Agree.  The Raqqa operation is going splendid .  Why screw it up until there is evidence?

[Night Hides Not]

Agree.  The Raqqa operation is going splendid .  Why screw it up until there is evidence?

Call me a cynic, but perhaps Trump is paying attention to his cascading poll numbers.

How is this different than Clinton shooting missiles at camels when he was President?