October 16, 2019

Castro Floor Remarks Denouncing Trump’s Catastrophic Syria Policy

– As Delivered –

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, today delivered the following remarks on the House floor in support of H.J.Res.77, the bipartisan joint measure condemning President Trump’s “foreign policy” in Syria:

“We are in the midst of a foreign policy disaster that will be a stain on the conscience of our nation. The situation in Syria is costing lives as we speak.

“Until recently our strategy to defeat ISIS by, through, and with our allies was working. Our small military presence in Syria was a sustainable force that denied ISIS the ability to plan and launch attacks from Syria or resurge back into Iraq.

“The President’s impulsive decision to leave Syria without any deliberation has ignited a conflict in one of the most volatile regions on earth. This Administration has managed to turn our Middle East policy on its head in a week’s time. 

“Turkey is slaughtering the Kurdish forces that have fought and died on our behalf in the fight against ISIS. In our place, Syria and Russia have quickly filled the void of American leadership.

“We have betrayed our allies. This is not a foreign policy that displays America’s core values. It is shameful choice that will have irreparable damage on American interests and alliances. I believe this joint resolution is what we need in this moment to combat this President’s worst instincts. It will rebuke the White House and rebalance the situation in Syria. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

“We should not cede our gains in Syria to Assad and Putin. We cannot allow ISIS to rebuild. And we cannot allow this to become indicative of American foreign policy. It is imperative the Congress pass H.J. Res. 77.

“I yield back the balance of my time."

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