Blog
Apr 30 2013
Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
Washington – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today released the following statement on President Obama’s remarks on Syria at his press conference this morning:
“In explaining his Syria policy today, President Obama was forced to defend the indefensible. It is true that the Administration has not done ‘nothing’ in Syria. But it is also impossible to escape the reality that nothing it has done has been sufficient to end this conflict. As a result, our national security interests and the safety of our friends and allies in the region are in growing danger.
“The uncertainty and ambiguity of our policy towards Syria has contributed to our current crisis. By drawing a ‘red line’ on chemical weapons, the President actually gave Assad a green light to use every other weapon in his arsenal with impunity. Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have been killed indiscriminately with artillery, helicopter gunships, fighter jets, and SCUD missiles. Now Assad has crossed the President’s red line. The credibility of the United States is on the line, not just with Syria, but with Iran, North Korea, and all of our enemies and friends who are watching closely to see whether the President backs up his words with action. Unfortunately, the red line has been blurred with each passing day. It will not be long before Assad takes this delay as an invitation to use chemical weapons again on an even larger scale. Both the humanitarian and strategic consequences that will result from such an act are horrific: It will further destabilize Syria, which is at great risk of becoming a failed state and a safe haven for Al Qaeda.
“Rather than continue with this reactive approach, and outsource the initiative for U.S. policy to Assad, the President needs to lead. He needs to articulate exactly what outcome in Syria would best serve America’s national security interests, what strategy is required to achieve that goal, and what means we need to employ together with our friends and allies to achieve success. There are many options at our disposal, including military options short of boots on the ground in Syria, that can make a positive impact on this crisis, which is destabilizing the region. The President must act now or risk squandering U.S. credibility in Syria and around the world.”
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Apr 30 2013
Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John McCain (R-Arizona) and Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire) today renewed their call for Senate leadership to appoint a joint select committee to investigate the Obama Administration’s handling before, during, and after the September 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi:
“We are once again calling on our Senate leadership to appoint a joint select committee to investigate the terror attacks on Benghazi.
“Revelations about witnesses being afraid to testify and military assets that could have been deployed in a timely fashion justify appointing a joint select committee.
“In light of these new revelations it is imperative that we learn everything we can from what happened before, during and after the attacks. We cannot allow those who serve our nation to feel abandoned when under attack, or by Congress afterwards.
“A joint select committee is the most appropriate way to get to the bottom of what happened in Benghazi.
“As with any investigation, the longer we delay, the harder it is to find the truth. We have already waited too long.
“We urge Senate leadership to act immediately to set up this joint select committee.”
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Apr 30 2013
Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
With all due respect Mr. President, Benghazi and Boston are compelling examples of how our national security systems have deteriorated on your watch.Apr 20 2013
Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
It is clear the events we have seen over the past few days in Boston were an attempt to kill American citizens and terrorize a major American city. The suspect, based upon his actions, clearly is a good candidate for enemy combatant status. We do not want this suspect to remain silent.Apr 19 2013
Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and John McCain (R-Arizona) tonight made the following statement.
“We truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement and intelligence communities.
"It is clear the events we have seen over the past few days in Boston were an attempt to kill American citizens and terrorize a major American city. The accused perpetrators of these acts were not common criminals attempting to profit from a criminal enterprise, but terrorist trying to injure, maim, and kill innocent Americans.
"Now that the suspect is in custody, the last thing we should want is for him to remain silent. It is absolutely vital the suspect be questioned for intelligence gathering purposes. We need to know about any possible future attacks which could take additional American lives. The least of our worries is a criminal trial which will likely be held years from now.
"Under the Law of War we can hold this suspect as a potential enemy combatant not entitled to Miranda warnings or the appointment of counsel. Our goal at this critical juncture should be to gather intelligence and protect our nation from further attacks.
"We remain under threat from radical Islam and we hope the Obama Administration will seriously consider the enemy combatant option.
“We will stand behind the Administration if they decide to hold this suspect as an enemy combatant.”Apr 18 2013
Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
President Obama wanted three things on gun control -- ban assault weapons, limit magazine sizes, and expand background checks. He lost all three.Apr 16 2013
Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
Our bond with Israel is deep. We have no better friend in that part of the world than Israel. I appreciate the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's passage of this important resolution.
