SECRET PROGRAM TO SUPPLY ARMS TO REBELS IN SYRIA; Congressional Record Vol. 160, No. 123

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SECRET PROGRAM TO SUPPLY ARMS TO REBELS IN SYRIA

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HON. RICHARD M. NOLAN

of minnesota

in the house of representatives

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed with the recent

reporting of a new, covert, secret U.S. program--not secret to the

intelligence communities throughout the world, but secret to the

American people--to supply military weapons and equipment to arm the

rebels in Syria.

Mr. Speaker, we've spent the last thirteen years sending arms into

the Middle East, and now the region is blowing up.

I commend President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry for their

commitment to finding diplomatic solutions in preventing these wars and

challenges--especially for their recent efforts to achieve an immediate

ceasefire and settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.

However, I am deeply disturbed by these repeated undercover missions

to fan the flames of foreign wars by inserting more military weapons

and equipment into the conflicts. These efforts run contrary to our

work of diplomacy and toward lasting peace--and what's more, are time

and time again executed without seeking the Constitutionally-granted

authority of the Congress of the United States.

I firmly believe that if the question were brought before the

Congress, many of these programs would never be sanctioned.

The fact is, Mr. Speaker, these are arms that all too often end up in

the hands of our worst enemies. And this apparent determination on the

part of the Administration to send weapons into so many regional

conflicts only serves to escalate the violence, prolong the fighting,

and stir feelings of ill will toward America.

Mr. Speaker, I've said this before--we have no friends in these

fights.

We must get over the tired and fallacious notion that the enemies of

our enemies are our friends.

I urge the Administration to remember that it is the Congress--not

the President--that has authority over matters of war and peace.

I strongly urge my colleagues to remember our constitutional

obligation to consider the future untold costs of these so-called wars

of choice and nation-building abroad.

Those monies and resources are urgently needed here at home--in

reducing the deficit, rebuilding America--creating good-paying jobs

restoring our roads and bridges--and reinvesting in our people and our

future by renewing our support for education, basic research in

science, medicine, technology, and clean energy.

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