Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is taking action to return war powers to Congress and bring an end to the American military presence in Syria. Dr. Paul will be forcing the U.S. Senate to vote on his War Powers Resolution (S.J. Res. 51), which directs the president to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria within 30 days of its enactment. The resolution is currently co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and JD Vance (R-OH).

Dr. Paul argues that keeping 900 U.S. troops in Syria does not advance American security and puts the servicemembers at risk. He states, "Our intervention puts those servicemembers at grave risk by providing an enticing target for Iranian-backed militias. Our continued presence risks the United States getting dragged into yet another regional war in the Middle East without debate or a vote by the people's representatives in Congress. Congress must cease abdicating its constitutional war powers to the executive branch."

The Obama administration initiated U.S. military operations in Syria in 2014 without congressional authorization. The mission to degrade and destroy ISIS was achieved in 2019, yet 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria with no clear objective, definition of victory, exit strategy, or authorization from Congress.

Dr. Paul's resolution has garnered support from various individuals and organizations. Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria, Robert S. Ford, emphasizes the need for a serious debate about the mission in Syria and states, "Our troops should be removed. Consideration of S.J. Res. 51 is an important opportunity for the Senate to take a step towards that necessary outcome."

Erik Sperling, Executive Director of Pro-Diplomacy Advocacy Group at Just Foreign Policy, expresses gratitude for Dr. Paul's efforts and highlights the importance of bringing the endless war in Syria to a close. He states, "We are grateful that Senator Paul is once again requiring his colleagues to do their duty and cast a vote on these life and death matters for our troops."

Jim Hanson, Executive Director of America Matters, argues that the U.S. military operations in Syria and Iraq for decades is a flagrant abuse of the Constitutional separation of powers. He supports Dr. Paul's efforts to restore the proper order.

The Biden Administration's deployment of nearly 900 U.S. troops in Syria without specific congressional authorization or clear objectives raises concerns about constitutional checks and balances. George Landrith, President of Frontiers of Freedom Institute, emphasizes the crucial role of Congress in declaring war or sanctioning troop placement and supports Dr. Paul's resolution to restore this balance of power.

Dr. Sumantra Maitra, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America, believes that the U.S. should narrow its priorities and focus on free shipping and trade routes and limited over-the-horizon counter-terrorism missions. He argues that the Middle East is a region of declining geopolitical importance for the U.S. and that there are greater future concerns elsewhere.

Dr. Paul's push for a U.S. Senate vote on the War Powers Resolution for troops in Syria is an important step in reclaiming Congress' constitutional war powers and bringing an end to the American military presence in the region. The resolution has gained support from individuals and organizations who believe that the mission in Syria lacks clear objectives and has gone on for too long without proper authorization from Congress.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-to-force-u-s-senate-vote-on-war-powers-resolution-concerning-u-s-troops-in-syria/