Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: “Mr. Speaker, just 2 weeks ago, the Senate amended and overwhelmingly passed H.R. 1828, the Syria Accountability and the…”

“Mr. Speaker, just 2 weeks ago, the Senate amended and overwhelmingly passed H.R. 1828, the Syria Accountability and the Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. The overwhelming support that the House-passed Syria bill received in the Senate and in the House clearly demonstrates a unity of purpose and an approach to the terrorist regime in Damascus. Even antisanctions advocates in the Senate recognize the serious threat that Syria poses to U.S. national security and to our interests and allies in the region. This bill seeks to hold Syria accountable for its weapons program, its continued illegal occupation of Lebanon, and its terrorist activities, including its facilitation of attacks against Americans in Iraq. The Syrian Foreign Minister has been quoted as saying that the requirements of this bill and of the U.S. in general for Syria to cease and desist on these three fronts are 'unreasonable and unrealistic' demands. In fact, the Syrian Foreign Minister believes that 'America has too many demands.'”