On the recordOctober 16, 2019
We are in the midst of a foreign policy disaster that will be a stain on the conscience of our Nation for many years to come. The situation in Syria is costing lives as we speak. Until recently, our strategy to defeat ISIS by, through, and with our allies was working. Our small military presence in Syria was a sustainable force that denied ISIS the ability to plan and launch attacks from Syria or resurge back into Iraq. The President's impulsive decision to leave Syria without any deliberation has ignited a conflict in one of the most volatile regions on Earth. This administration has managed to turn our Middle East policy on its head in a week's time. Turkey is slaughtering the Kurdish forces that have fought and died on our behalf in the fight against ISIS. In our place, Syria and Russia have quickly filled the void of American leadership. We have betrayed our allies. This is not a foreign policy that displays America's core values. It is a shameful choice that will cause irreparable damage to American interests and alliances around the world. I believe this joint resolution is what we need in this moment to combat this President's worst instincts. The joint resolution will rebuke the White House and attempt to rebalance the situation in Syria. I urge all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to support it. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed).
