Scott Statement on Authorization to Train and Equip Moderate Syrian Rebels
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his vote in favor of the McKeon Amendment to the Continuing Resolution, authorizing the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to train and equip appropriately vetted elements of the Syrian opposition and other appropriately vetted Syrian groups or individuals to combat ISIL.
"The McKeon Amendment is not a formal authorization for this President or future presidents to use American military force in Syria. It has been argued that the President already has such authorization pursuant to the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations of Use of Military Force. I do not, however, believe these are sufficient authorizations to target terrorist groups that may not have even existed 13 years ago. And that is why I support a repeal of both the 2001 and 2002 authorizations to allow Congress an opportunity to assess the current situation, review all the facts, debate the issue, and then vote on whether or not to authorize continued American military action in the Middle East and around the world.
"Virtually every country in the Middle East is experiencing internal turmoil and any action taken by the United States has the potential of backfiring. However, by working with our allies and partners in the region and around the world, President Obama is thoughtfully and deliberately building an international coalition to address this quagmire. The McKeon Amendment is narrowly drafted to allow the President to use existing resources in a way limited to training and equipping only properly vetted moderates in the Syrian opposition willing to combat ISIL.
"The McKeon Amendment will hopefully afford Congress the necessary time to repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations of Use of Military Force and debate whether or not to grant the President a new authorization limited in scope to address the ISIL threat with sustained American military action."
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