Donnelly, Young, Walorski react to U.S. airstrikes in Syria

The U.S. conducted military strikes on a Syrian airbase Thursday night, using 59 Tomahawk missiles. Officials said a Syrian chemical weapons attack originated at the airbase earlier this week.

The U.S. response to that chemical weapons attack has resulted in mixed reactions from around the world.

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Joe Donnelly, and U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, all of whom represent Pulaski County residents, issued statements Friday regarding the U.S. airstrike response.

 

Donnelly statement on U.S. missile strike in Syria

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly released the following statement after President Trump ordered a missile strike on a Syrian airfield late last evening. Donnelly serves on the Armed Services Committee which oversees the U.S. military.

Donnelly said, “Bashar al-Assad’s latest chemical attack on Syrian civilians was despicable - the latest horror in the six-year tragedy of the Syrian Civil War. Last night’s missile strike was an appropriate response and sends a clear message that the use of chemical weapons on innocent people will not be tolerated. Before any further escalation, President Trump and leaders at the Pentagon need to come to Congress with a clear strategy for the path forward.”

 

Young issues statement following a Senators-only briefing on yesterday’s military strikes in Syria:

 “The international community has looked the other way for too long and has failed to act as Assad and Putin have deliberately and barbarically murdered innocent men, women, and children in Syria, and I applaud the Trump administration’s decision to take action. Our men and women in uniform conducted yesterday’s strikes with professionalism and precision, and I join all Americans in expressing our gratitude to our service members,” said Sen. Young.

Young continued, “After attending a briefing today with General Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I am confident that the President will continue to receive sound advice from his impressive national security team. Following these strikes, the administration should submit to Congress without delay a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy—working with our international partners. Our national security interests require that this strategy seeks to eliminate ISIS’s remaining safe haven in Syria, end the Syrian regime’s war on its own people, address the humanitarian crisis, and begin a political process that includes the departure of Assad and the establishment of an inclusive Syrian government. Simultaneously, Congress finally should fulfill its Constitutional responsibility to consider and pass an appropriately crafted authorization for use of military force.”

 

Walorski statement on U.S. airstrikes in Syria

MISHAWAKA– U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Friday released the following statement on airstrikes carried out by the U.S. military on targets in Syria:

“The Assad regime's use of chemical weapons to attack innocent civilians demanded a decisive response. Tonight's U.S. military airstrikes on targets in Syria send a clear message that America will not stand for such atrocities.”

 

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.