Republicans block Senate vote on resolution condemning Trump's decision on Syria

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

Senate Republicans blocked a vote Thursday on a House-passed resolution that condemned President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from northern Syria, a military move that paved the way for a Turkish offensive against the Kurds.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) attempted to force Senate passage Thursday afternoon of the bipartisan House resolution that passed on an overwhelming 354-60-4 vote Wednesday. “He does not grasp the gravity of the situation. He doesn’t understand it,” Schumer said of Trump. “The most important thing we can do right now is send President Trump a message that Congress, the vast majority of Democrats and Republicans, demand to reverse course.”

But several Republican senators, led by Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), stood up to object, thus blocking passage of the resolution. “The Constitution is quite clear: No authorization has ever been given for the use of force in Syria, no authorization of declaration of war, no permission to be there at all,” Paul said. “So if they want to insert themselves into the civil war, by all means, let’s have a debate, let’s have the constitutional debate, but I for one am not willing to send one young man, or one young woman, one soldier, over there without a clear mission.”

Also objecting to the resolution were Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James E. Risch (R-Idaho) and Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday that his preference is for legislation even stronger than the House-passed resolution, arguing the measure had some serious weaknesses.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/republicans-block-senate-vote-on-resolution-condemning-trumps-decision-on-syria/2019/10/17/5ad3f9ca-f103-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html

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(as a note, this resolution was basically "non-binding" and was to send a message. It's not authorizing or de-authorizing anything).

Unless they are willing to completely revoke the AUMF - which they need to do - but I expect they'll drag their feet on doing so.

[Salviati]

1. So they are co-signing onto the #republicanretreat

It's clarifying to see that all of these republicans are in favor of betraying our allies in the fight against ISIS, and abandoning our military bases to be taken over by Russian troops. It's good to know with whom they're standing.

[katmondoo]

3. They all live well in the USA but will do nothing to save our Democracy

Perhaps it is time for all Republicans to relocate to a dictatorship of their choice, they must love being in a totalitarian State, from their actions it seems they would be so happy.

[rockfordfile]

2. Vote the GOP out

[B Stieg]

4. Honorable men, all...

NOT.

[MarcA]

5. Once again the Senate proves itself to be an anti-democratic institution. n/t

[keithbvadu2]

6. Lindsey blames Obama for pulling out of Iraq (negotiated by Dubya) and now they praise Dotard for de

Lindsey blames Obama for pulling out of Iraq (negotiated by Dubya) and now they praise Dotard for deserting our allies and turning over a base to the Russians.

[SergeStorms]

7. I'M SHOCKED!

Obstructionism, from republicans?