George Holding: “Before I returned to Washington last week, I was skeptical of the President's proposal for military action in Syria.…”

“Before I returned to Washington last week, I was skeptical of the President's proposal for military action in Syria. After classified briefings and hearing directly from Secretaries Kerry and Hagel, I am more skeptical than ever. This administration has done nothing to convince me and the American people that they have a focused, effective plan for military action in Syria, or really any true plan at all. These strikes, like the administration's Middle East policy of the last 4\1/ 2\ years, lack coherence and fail to support a long-term strategy. Additionally, they have not adequately considered the risk of retaliation from Assad's allies, Russia and Hezbollah. Madam Speaker, the test of a successful foreign policy is that our friends trust us and our enemies fear us. President Obama has failed in this regard, and a military strike will fail to benefit the United States' broader strategy or international interests. ____________________”