OUR FAILURE TO STOP THE SLAUGHTER IN SYRIA IS SHAMEFUL; Congressional Record Vol. 164, No. 46

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OUR FAILURE TO STOP THE SLAUGHTER IN SYRIA IS SHAMEFUL

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for

1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, today, the brutal conflict in Syria enters

its eighth year. As we meet, safe and secure in this Chamber, the

Syrian regime, with the support of its principal ally, Russia, is

pulverizing Eastern Ghouta.

On February 24, the U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a

resolution demanding a 30-day cease-fire across Syria. This was

supposed to permit a \\\`\\\`durable humanitarian pause'' so that aid could

be delivered and people who are critically sick and wounded could be

evacuated.

It hasn't worked. Instead, a brutal campaign of airstrikes, shelling,

and ground offensives has intensified. Populated areas remain under

siege. The targeting of civilians continues, and hundreds more men,

women, and children have been killed.

In the words of the U.N. Secretary General: \\\`\\\`Syria is bleeding

inside and out.''

Mr. Speaker, our failure to stop this terrible slaughter is shameful.

It is unacceptable. We must urgently work with our allies, put an end

to this nightmare, and find a path forward.

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