Bowling Green Today

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) pushed for a U.S. Senate vote on his War Powers Resolution (S.J. Res. 51), which aimed to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in and affecting Syria within 30 days of its enactment. The resolution, co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and JD Vance (R-OH), is part of Dr. Paul's ongoing efforts to bring war powers back to Congress and end the American military presence in Syria.

Dr. Paul emphasized that keeping 900 U.S. troops in Syria does not contribute to American security. Instead, it puts these servicemembers at risk by becoming targets for Iranian-backed militias. He stated, "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 bipartisan resolution garnered support from 13 Senators who voted in favor of it. The full text of Dr. Paul's Syria War Powers Resolution can be read on his website, along with his floor speech ahead of the vote.

The presence of 900 troops in Syria, despite Congress never authorizing the use of military force in the region, has raised concerns. Recent attacks on these troops by state and non-state actors highlight the vulnerability of these servicemembers. The Pentagon reported that there have been at least 76 attacks on U.S. military personnel in Syria and Iraq since Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7th. These attacks have resulted in 59 U.S. military personnel being injured, with 32 of them at the al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria.

The Obama administration initiated U.S. military operations in Syria without congressional authorization in September 2014. By 2017, there were 2,000 U.S. troops deployed to Syria. Although the mission to degrade and destroy ISIS was accomplished in 2019, 900 troops still remain in Syria without a clear objective, definition of victory, exit strategy, or congressional authorization for engagement in hostilities.

Various individuals and organizations have expressed their support for Dr. Paul's Syria War Powers Resolution. Robert S. Ford, Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria and Political Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, emphasized the need for a serious debate about the mission in Syria and the well-being of the troops. Erik Sperling, Executive Director of Pro-Diplomacy Advocacy Group at Just Foreign Policy, highlighted the importance of ending the endless war and occupation of Syria. Jim Hanson, Executive Director of America Matters, called for a return to the proper order of the Constitutional separation of powers.

The Biden Administration's deployment of troops in Syria without specific congressional authorization or clear objectives has raised concerns about constitutional checks and balances. George Landrith, President of Frontiers of Freedom Institute, emphasized the need to restore this balance and prevent an unchecked concentration of power in the Executive branch. Heather Brandon-Smith, Legislative Director for Militarism and Human Rights for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, stressed the importance of a debate and vote by Congress on military interventions.

Dr. Sumantra Maitra, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and Senior Editor of the American Conservative, highlighted the need for a narrowed focus on free shipping and trade routes and limited over-the-horizon counter-terrorism missions, rather than extensive interventions in the Middle East.

As Dr. Rand Paul continues his efforts to return war powers to Congress and end the American military presence in Syria, the Senate vote on his War Powers Resolution marks an important step towards a necessary outcome.