Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today questioned Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey during a House Armed Service Committee hearing on President Obama's request to take military action against Syria. The witnesses also provided initial updates on diplomatic efforts to secure Syria's chemical weapons. As the only member from Iowa who serves on the Armed Services Committee, Loebsack posed questions about what the fallout from a strike would be. Loebsack also viewed classified materials and received a classified briefing yesterday. Video of the exchange from today's hearing can be found here.
"Today's hearing was an important chance for the American people to hear directly from the Administration with initial updates on diplomatic efforts and about their case for taking military action against Syria. The use of chemical weapons against civilians is morally reprehensible and should be unequivocally condemned by the international community. While these negotiations are in a very early stage and much remains to be seen, an effective and verifiable diplomatic path forward through the international community to secure chemical weapons would be a welcome development.
"However, after more than a decade of war during which time our troops and military families have made great sacrifices on our behalf, we must exercise extreme caution in undertaking military action. There are still too many unanswered questions from the Administration including defining the end goal for potential use of force and laying out the broader implications of military action in the region. I welcome the President's address to the nation tonight and hope that he will answer these questions and provide an update on diplomatic efforts for the American people."
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