ICYMI: Media Coverage Highlights Kaine's Support For Seeking Congressional Authorization In Syria
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine continued to voice support this weekend for the President’s decision to seek congressional approval of military action in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons and has expressed confidence that Congress will come together with the Administration to respond to the violation of an international norm that’s been in place for 90 years. Kaine has been active on the issue of consultation between the executive and legislative branches on military action, having announced efforts in July to reform the 1973 War Powers Resolution in a way that lays out a clear consultative process between Congress and the President on whether and when to engage in military action.
As a member of both the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees and as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, Kaine will participate in the respective committee hearings in Washington this week with votes on a resolution authorizing military force expected next week.
Associated Press: “I don't think we should allow the international norms against the use of chemical weapons against civilians to be violated," Kaine said. "There has to be a consequence for that.”
On Morning Joe: “If we’re going to put servicemen and women in harm’s way, they have to be able to count on the fact that the nation’s political leadership is unified behind them.”
CBS News: Kaine predicted that after a “very historic and important debate, lawmakers will "rally behind the principle that use of chemical weapons is wrong and it can't go unpunished.”
On Face the Nation: “The best way to educate the American public about a matter like this is to have that full debate in Congress that the framers of the Constitution intended.”
On Andrea Mitchell: “I think it was a very positive move by the President…The decision about initiating military action is the most solemn decision that Congress or the President makes. We cannot afford to send American men and women into military action unless they are confident that the political leadership of the country is behind them.”
On Morning Joe: “I think you’ll see strong congressional support because I think we still care about the international principle that you don’t use chemical weapons against civilians,” Kaine said. “Vladimir Putin may not care, but I think members of the American Congress do care and will care.”
On Face the Nation: “I have been maintaining we need to update the War Powers Act of 1973…I think this could be a very historic and important debate, and, again, if we can reach a consensus, we will be much stronger as a nation and the likelihood of success of our actions will be, I think, great.”
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