WASHINGTON, DC - Tonight, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump authorizing U.S. military strikes in Syria:

“The use of chemical weapons is abhorrent and a violation of international law.  Their use is not something to ignore.  

“We need more information to determine the scope and effectiveness of this action.  There are also significant and complicated questions with respect to the legal justification for tonight’s strikes.

“President Trump’s impulsive tweets boxed him in.  Isolated punitive action is no replacement for a comprehensive strategy designed to bring about an end to the conflict in Syria – the only thing that will truly bring relief to the Syrian people. 

“Over the last year, President Trump has marginalized the efforts of our diplomatic personnel while pursuing military operations that are disassociated from any broader Syria-specific or regional strategy. 

“Put simply, the American people need to hear an actual strategy and an actual legal justification. Congress has a constitutional duty and I hope the majority permits appropriate hearings and briefings.”