[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SECRET PROGRAM TO SUPPLY ARMS TO REBELS IN SYRIA

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                         HON. RICHARD M. NOLAN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed with the recent 
reporting of a new, covert, secret U.S. program--not secret to the 
intelligence communities throughout the world, but secret to the 
American people--to supply military weapons and equipment to arm the 
rebels in Syria.
  Mr. Speaker, we've spent the last thirteen years sending arms into 
the Middle East, and now the region is blowing up.
  I commend President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry for their 
commitment to finding diplomatic solutions in preventing these wars and 
challenges--especially for their recent efforts to achieve an immediate 
ceasefire and settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
  However, I am deeply disturbed by these repeated undercover missions 
to fan the flames of foreign wars by inserting more military weapons 
and equipment into the conflicts. These efforts run contrary to our 
work of diplomacy and toward lasting peace--and what's more, are time 
and time again executed without seeking the Constitutionally-granted 
authority of the Congress of the United States.
  I firmly believe that if the question were brought before the 
Congress, many of these programs would never be sanctioned.
  The fact is, Mr. Speaker, these are arms that all too often end up in 
the hands of our worst enemies. And this apparent determination on the 
part of the Administration to send weapons into so many regional 
conflicts only serves to escalate the violence, prolong the fighting, 
and stir feelings of ill will toward America.
  Mr. Speaker, I've said this before--we have no friends in these 
fights.
  We must get over the tired and fallacious notion that the enemies of 
our enemies are our friends.
  I urge the Administration to remember that it is the Congress--not 
the President--that has authority over matters of war and peace.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to remember our constitutional 
obligation to consider the future untold costs of these so-called wars 
of choice and nation-building abroad.
  Those monies and resources are urgently needed here at home--in 
reducing the deficit, rebuilding America--creating good-paying jobs 
restoring our roads and bridges--and reinvesting in our people and our 
future by renewing our support for education, basic research in 
science, medicine, technology, and clean energy.

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