The MSM is filled with denouncements of Trump's decision to execute airstrikes in Syria, but does the U.S. Senate share the same views?
John McCain and Lindsey Graham released a joint statement applauding the President's first step, saying, "unlike the previous administration, President Trump confronted a pivotal moment in Syria and took action." They continued, "For that, he deserves the support of the American people."
Rubio applauded Trump's move against the Syrian military facility. "By acting decisively against the very facility from which Assad launched his murderous chemical weapons attack," he said, "President Trump has made it clear to Assad and those who empower him that the days of committing war crimes with impunity are over."
As expected, Rand Paul didn't jump on the bandwagon. Being the only Republican to denounce the strikes, Paul said, "While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, the United States was not attacked." He continued with, "The President needs congressional authorization for military action as required by the Constitution, and I call on him to come to Congress for a proper debate."
Although there was one other Republican who didn't say he opposed the attack, but consequently didn't say he supported the decision either. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued a statement focused toward the inhumanity of the attacks and the Constitutional limitations.
"The use of indiscriminate and inhumane tactics like this, especially against non-combatants, should be condemned in the strongest terms," Lee said. “If the United States is to increase our use of military force in Syria, we should follow the Constitution and seek the proper authorization from Congress."
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, was in agreement, as well.
McCaskill announced, "I’m supportive of these strikes - against a source of barbaric chemical weapons attacks on civilians - I just hope it wasn’t an impulsive reaction, but rather part of a broader plan and strategy.”
However, in contrast to McCaskill, Sen. Chris Murphy (R-CT), was one of the Democratic denouncers.
"An ill-thought out military action with absolutely no overall strategy for Syria risks dragging us further into a civil war in which we cannot tip the scales," Murphy declared.
FiveThirtyEight, a political website based on statistical analyses, revealed that out of the 100 senators, 79 have expressed some level of support for the airstrikes decision (two dozen of those being Democrats). In their analysis, the site included a comprehensive list of all senators with their party and level of support on the airstrikes.
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