Political Quotes

On the recordJune 20, 2013
Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong concern about President Obama's decision to arm the rebels in Syria. That decision was signaled last week by Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes. According to Mr. Rhodes the United States will start supplying arms to selected rebel groups. I fully understand the seriousness of the situation in Syria. Bashar al-Asad is a brutal dictator. Syria has been on the State Department's state sponsor of terrorism list since 1979. For 2 years this brutal civil war has raged, leaving at least 93,000 dead--100 reportedly through chemical weapons attack. The humanitarian situation in Syria is a calamity. Millions of people have been displaced. Iran and Russia stand to gain a major strategic victory if Asad remains in power, and we have to be concerned about the danger this war poses to our allies Israel and Jordan. All Americans would like to see secular, democracy-minded forces in Syria come to power, but President Obama's failed policy over the last 2 years has left us with no good options at this time. In the beginning of the uprising, there was a moment when the peaceful protesters could have used the vocal energetic support of the United States. Instead, the Obama administration stood by for months apparently in the hopes they could make Asad see reason. Before long, military hostilities broke out, but President Obama chose not to act, hoping instead to lead from behind.…
Said by
Ted Cruz
Republican · Texas

Share & report

More from Ted Cruz

Aug 24, 2025

I am proud to endorse Chip Roy for Attorney General of Texas.

breitbart.com
Sep 10, 2025

Following this new AI framework can turbocharge economic activity, cut through bureaucratic red tape, and empower American AI developers while protecting human flourishing.

cnbc.com
Aug 24, 2025

Chip has been a close friend and ally of mine for over 12 years.

breitbart.com
Aug 14, 2025

We will end the war in Ukraine, but we will do so through a strong president and a strong commander-in-chief.

breitbart.com

Other voices in this conversation