Idaho lawmakers respond to Syria strike

Congressman Mike Simpson reacted Thursday evening to the United States military strike on a Syrian government target in response to their chemical weapon’s attack that killed dozens of civilians earlier in the week.

“I support the President’s action against the Assad regime,” Simpson’s statement read. “The United States of America took a strong (stand against the) Assad regime. The United States of America took a strong stand tonight against the unfathomable act Bashar al-Assad conducted this week by murdering innocent men, women and children with a chemical attack.”

On President Donald Trump’s orders, U.S. warships launched 50 to 60 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian government airbase where the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks were based, U.S. officials said.

The strike is the first direct military action the U.S. has taken against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s six-year civil war and represents a substantial escalation of the US’ military campaign in the region, which could be interpreted by the Syrian government as an act of war.

First District Congressman Raul Labrador encouraged House Leadership to call representatives back to Congress to debate whether additional military action might be needed.

Labrador released the following statement:

“Like all Americans, I was appalled by the use of chemical weapons in Syria and heartbroken that so many innocent people fell victim in such a heinous way. The Syrian government’s abuse of human rights is unacceptable and deserves a strong, thoughtful response from the United States and all civilized nations. However, our response must be in the best interests of the American people and approved by Congress through the deliberative process outlined in our Constitution.

“President Trump needs to have an active dialogue with Congress about not only yesterday’s attack but also any further engagement in Syria. I agree with many of the points President Trump has made about Syria, but his policy will be more effective when it has strong, informed, and bipartisan support in Congress. The American people would benefit from a more active debate about the possible risks and benefits of U.S. intervention in Syria.”

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued this statement regarding the U.S.-launched missile strikes in Syria yesterday evening:

“The brutality of the Syrian regime seems to know no bounds. I support the President’s decisive actions to prevent further use of chemical weapons against innocent women, men, and children and from allowing those from falling into the hands of terrorists. I send my gratitude to the men and women of America’s armed forces fighting our enemies abroad. Let us also keep in our minds the memory of the victims of al-Assad’s attacks as the United States and our allies fight the spread of terrorism.”