Following President Obama’s announcement Saturday that he would delay any military response against Syria pending a Congressional vote, Virginia’s two U.S. Senators, Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both hailed the decision.
Sen. Kaine issued a statement saying,
“I strongly support the President’s decision to seek congressional approval of military action in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Our nation is stronger in military matters when we act in a united fashion. The opportunity to fully debate this difficult situation will help educate the American public about the important issues at stake and ultimately provide a political consensus that our servicemembers must be able to rely on.”
Sen. Warner issued a statement saying,
“The tone that we use while having this discussion also is vitally important. These are issues that should not break down along typical partisan lines, and the debate will provide an opportunity to demonstrate that America’s elected leadership can come together to resolve serious issues. People across the country and indeed around the world will be watching closely as the world’s greatest democracy debates, and then decides, these important questions. I commend the President for the decision to seek authorization from Congress. The decision about whether or not to use military force in response to the Syrian atrocities raises significant issues that should be considered and debated by Congress. This debate will help define how America views its role as a world power.
In July, Kaine announced efforts to reform of the 1973 War Powers Resolution in a way that would lay out a clear consultative process between Congress and the President on whether and when to engage in military action. Recently, Kaine had called for the President to full consult with Congress before initiating military action in Syria and advocated a debate and authorization of military action before any strike occurs.
