Congressman Lowenthal Statement On Use Of Force In Syria

LONG BEACH, CA - Congressman Alan Lowenthal released the following statement on the decision by President Barack Obama to have the United States Congress vote on any potential use of force against the Syrian government:

"I deplore the loss of life in Syria and condemn the violence and human rights violations. The murder of innocent civilians by the Syrian government is an obscenity in and of itself, and the use of chemical weapons is an affront to every rule, law and convention that the United States and the international community hold sacrosanct.

"I am encouraged by the President's commitment to listen to the voice of the people, through their representatives in Congress, before engaging U.S. forces in a military strike on Syria.

"This is the proper path for our democracy. We must discuss, we must deliberate, and we must be mindful before we ever resort to force."