John Kerry

How can we guarantee that one surgical strike will have any impact other than to tighten the vice grip Assad has on his power?

I see this potential bombing campaign as a potential next step toward full-fledged war.

The full force of international outrage should come down on those nations that are refusing to allow the U.N. to act and find a solution.

The goal is a negotiated solution which results in the departure of Assad and the free choice of the Syrian people for their future.

There are some worse than al-Nusra, and they tend to be, most of them, in the northern area and the east.

I agree with most of that. They have changed significantly. They have improved.

I agree with the President.

There's no hidden agenda. There's no subterfuge. There's no surrogate strategy here.

The President, as you know, retains the authority, always has the authority, had the authority to strike before coming to Congress.

I think the President made a courageous decision to take the time to build the strength that makes America stronger by acting in unity with the United States Congress.

I can assure you that the President of the United States, and I think you all, would probably speed up your process and/or the President would respond immediately.

I hope these hearings will give the American people the answers they deserve, but there are troubling questions that need to be answered.

I refuse to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves to take action

I know the administration has zero intention of putting troops on the ground.

The challenge now, for those of us who seek an appropriate path forward, is to make sure that we craft an authorization for the use of military force that responds to Americans' legitimate concerns, but still allows the administration to…

I think over the last 2 years, there is no doubt that Bashar al-Assad and his regime is willing to go to any lengths to stay in power.

Not just what we decide, but how we decide it will send a very important message around the world that this Congress can still function in a nonpartisan way in the interest of the people of the United States.

Our goal is to have as broad a coalition and support of what we might do as is possible.

He is prepared to come here as soon as those meetings are over in order to meet with you.

It is basically incorrect. The opposition has increasingly become more defined by its moderation.

The reason is that the President is listening to the American people and has made a policy decision.

Can you imagine Assad running Syria? Can you imagine this man who has gassed his people remaining in power.

Our goal is to help the opposition. You have to look overall.

The alternative is that you stand back and do nothing and Syria, in fact, implodes, becomes an enclave state.

There is no way possible that by mutual consent Assad is going to be part of that future.