It is not only unacceptable but it is also unconstitutional for President Obama to intervene in Syria without formal Congressional approval. The United States has no strategic interest in this conflict, and we have not been directly threatened by the events thus far. To date, the President has not made a case for military intervention in the Syrian crisis to Congress or the American people.
Today, I signed a letter to President Obama with over 140 of my colleagues reminding him that it is his duty to consult with Congress before using military force in any conflict. It is hypocritical that the Administration would even consider using force without taking this step, when in 2007, then Senator Joe Biden discussed President Bush’s policy toward Iran and “point[ed] out the president has no constitutional authority to take this nation to war against a country of 70 million people, unless we’re attacked or unless there is proof that we are about to be attacked.” Biden then expressly stated, “And if he does, I would move to impeach him. The House obviously has to do that, but I would lead an effort to impeach him.”
Involvement in Syria would be a far worse disaster than Libya and will cost American lives to no good end. We should focus on protecting our oldest ally in the region, Israel.