On the recordMarch 15, 2012
it is my honor to join my colleague and friend, the Senator from Texas. We are on opposite sides of the aisle, but we are on the same side of this issue. Listen to what America has said about what is happening in Syria: Almost 8,000 innocent people have been killed in the streets of Syria by Bashar Asad, the dictator. The people who expressed their concern and objection to his policies are mowed down and killed in the streets, their homes are bombed, and nothing is being done. Sadly, the United States tried to engage the United Nations Security Council to join the Arab League and others condemning what Asad is doing to these innocent people. Our efforts were stopped by China and Russia. The relationship between Russia and Syria is well documented. They have been close allies for many years. We also know they are providing about $1 billion in Russian military aid to the Syrian dictator to kill his own people in the streets. That is part of this. I have to join Senator Cornyn in saying how concerned we were when we learned that one of the leading military exporters of Russia, Rosoboronexport, is not only doing business in Syria but with the U.S. Government. Now, I understand the history. We are buying Russian helicopters to help the Afghans defend their country against the Taliban. The helicopter of choice in Afghanistan today is, I believe, the old Soviet M 17 or M 18 helicopter.…





