Congressman Brendan Boyle during a committee meeting. Photo from Congressman Boyle’s website.
By Ray O’Hanlon
Two of the leading Irish American members of the U.S. House of Representatives took different tacks today on the cruise missile attack on a Syrian air force base ordered by President Donald Trump.
But while Congressman Peter King, a New York Republican, strongly supported the unleashing of 59 cruise missiles as a response to a poison gas attack on civilians by the Assad regime, Congressman Brendan Boyle, a Pennsylvania Democrat, raised the matter of congressional approval for that, or any other military action.
“I strongly support President Trump's decision to launch rocket attacks against a key Syrian air base,” said King in a statement.
“This was a proportionate and necessary response to Bashar Assad's use of chemical weapons and sends a strong message that President Trump is a leader willing to take decisive action.
“It also tells Sunni Arab nations like Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, that the U.S. can be trusted as an ally - which was not the case with President Obama.
“It also lessens Iran's influence in that region. Significantly, President Trump's action is a signal to Vladimir Putin that Russia cannot continue to support Assad.”
King said that President Trump had taken “a first major step,” but warned that the future would not be easy.
He said: “If Assad is removed, ISIS cannot be allowed to fill that vacuum. This will require firm military and diplomatic action.
“We must be steady and unwavering in our determination and not send mixed signals when the going gets tough. Our Arab allies must know that our word is good and America is once again reliable as we stand with them in our combined efforts to destroy ISIS and resist Iran.
“I am confident that President Trump and his team, led by Defense Secretary James Mattis and NSC Adviser H.R. McMaster will see it through. God Bless America!”
King is a former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and currently chairs that panel’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
King is also a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, lately in the spotlight due to its investigation of alleged Russian interference in last year’s presidential election.
Congressman Boyle, meanwhile, did not condone or condemn the U.S. attack, launched by two destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean, but rather called for an immediate recall of the adjourning House of Representatives to consider U.S. policy towards Syria, which has been embroiled for years in a brutal civil war.
Boyle, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Middle East Subcommittee, said in a statement: “Tonight, President Trump approved airstrikes against Syrian targets.
“As our country initiates military action against a foreign country, it is clear that (House) Speaker (Paul) Ryan must immediately recall members of Congress into an emergency session to debate and vote on our policy toward Syria.
“I am deeply concerned about President Trump undertaking military action without any clear authorization from Congress.
“Our Constitution makes clear that these decisions must come before Congress. Congress must not abdicate this responsibility. We, the people's elected representatives, must finally debate and vote on this issue."
