In The News

Written by Rep. Wenstrup, this appeared in the Sunday, September 8 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer

"The loss of life in Syria is tragic, and any use of chemical weapons is reprehensible.

I am glad the president decided to consult with Congress on the use of force in Syria. The president has an obligation to Congress and the American people to lay out the case for a strike in Syria prior to taking military action.

Before possibly committing the U.S. military, we must ensure that our military objectives are clearly outlined and attainable. It is imperative that outlined goals are achievable through military action.

With any military action, there must be concern about and thorough vetting of unintended consequences, including possibilities of empowering al-Qaeda-linked rebels and the impacts on our allies in the region.

Sending our military into action is one of the most important actions I can take as a U.S. representative. As a soldier who served in Iraq, I take this solemn duty seriously.

This week, I have been listening to constituents’ concerns as well as evaluating the facts surrounding the proposed use of military force in Syria. When I return to Washington, I will participate in a classified briefing to evaluate confidential details of our possible military action.

This is a serious decision and not one I take lightly. Ultimately, my decision will come down to whether I believe military action in Syria is in the best security interests of the United States."