MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA; Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 117

<!-- -->

MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA

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

1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLDING. Madam Speaker, before I returned to Washington last

week, I was skeptical of the President's proposal for military action

in Syria. After classified briefings and hearing directly from

Secretaries Kerry and Hagel, I am more skeptical than ever.

This administration has done nothing to convince me and the American

people that they have a focused, effective plan for military action in

Syria, or really any true plan at all. These

\\\[\\\[\[Page\](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-159/house-section/page/H5410) \[H5410\](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-159/house-section/page/H5410)\\\]\\\]

strikes, like the administration's Middle East policy of the last 4\\\\1/

2\\\\ years, lack coherence and fail to support a long-term strategy.

Additionally, they have not adequately considered the risk of

retaliation from Assad's allies, Russia and Hezbollah.

Madam Speaker, the test of a successful foreign policy is that our

friends trust us and our enemies fear us. President Obama has failed in

this regard, and a military strike will fail to benefit the United

States' broader strategy or international interests.

&nbsp;