San Antonio Express-News: Doggett hesitant on U.S. intervention in Syria
Doggett hesitant on U.S. intervention in Syria
San Antonio Express-News:September 4, 2013
U.S.Rep. Lloyd Doggett, an Austin Democrat with an independent streak, saidWednesday he's leaning against supporting a proposed congressional resolutionbacking U.S. military intervention in Syria.
Addressinga Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Doggett said he's eager toget a classified briefing next week on the situation in Syria, but isn't onboard yet with President Barack Obama's plan to punish the civil war-ravagednation with airstrikes.
"Thequestion is: Is there a military mission that is well defined and planned wherewe're not limiting our military to accomplish that mission ... and I've yet tobe convinced that there is," Doggett said, answering an audience member'squestion.
Thecomments came the day that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted toauthorize military force against Syria in response to a deadly chemical weaponsattack.
Thefull Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week, when Doggett and otherHouse members reconvene from their August recess.
Doggett,whose District 35 includes part of Bexar County and the Interstate 35 corridor,regrets the slow pace of formulating a U.S. response.
"Ithink we should have been in Washington last week instead of next week,"Doggett said.
Obamarecently delayed U.S. action when he opted to first consult with Congress, butthe president said waiting to strike Syria wouldn't diminish the effect of theresponse.
Doggettjoined in condemning Syria's treatment of civilians but questioned Obama'sapproach and the wisdom of intervening.
"I'mhorrified like everyone else by what I see there," Doggett told about 200guests at the chamber's congressional luncheon series.
Hepointed out that thousands of Syrians died from being "sprayed with bombs andmortars" before the chemical attacks that prompted Obama to propose airstrikes.
"Whathe wanted to do was a shot across the bow of the (President Bashar) Assadgovernment. It seems to me to be a very dangerous and costly way to send amessage," Doggett said.
"Iwould like to send him a message, but I'd like to do it in a way that does notinvolve us in a regional civil war and that does not have America — either ourmilitary families that have been called upon to sacrifice so much, or ourtaxpayers — having to bear all the burden," Doggett said.
Doggett,in Congress since 1994, focused his remarks on his legislative prioritiesincluding education, immigration reform, health care and the federal budget,but he warned that long-running gridlock is still a frustrating factor.
"Weare in the midst of a congressional recess, though for most people it's hard totell the difference," Doggett said.