SYRIA; Congressional Record Vol. 163, No. 61

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SYRIA

Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, last evening the Vice President

notified me of the President's decision to respond to the Syrian

regime's use of chemical weapons against its own people through

military action. The action was taken to deter the Assad regime from

using chemical weapons again.

I support both the action and the objective. The planning of this

operation was clearly well considered. It was taken against the Shayrat

airfield from which the aircraft used in the attack had been launched,

where chemical weapons had been stored, and was taken against assets of

importance to the regime--aircraft, hardened shelters, and air defense

systems.

In the days ahead, I am committed to working with the administration

to continue developing a counter-ISIL strategy that hastens the defeat

of ISIL and establishes objectives for dealing with the Assad regime in

a manner that preserves the institutions of government in an effort to

prevent a failed state.

Our gratitude goes out to the world's most capable military, which in

a span of just hours presented options, capabilities, and plans to the

Commander in Chief and then executed a difficult mission. None of this

occurs without years of training, investment, and the dedication by our

servicemembers.

This was an action of consequence. It is a clear signal from America

that Bashar al-Assad can no longer use chemical weapons against his own

people with impunity.

In addition, for the attention of all Senators, we will have a

briefing on this matter later today.

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