Letter to John Boehner, Speaker of the House - Vote on Syria Train & Equip Program

Letter

Dear Mr. Speaker:

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) scheduled to come to the floor tomorrow contains many major policy decisions affecting our country and our armed forces. We believe the Congress should have an opportunity to debate and consider amendments on questions of significant magnitude.

Specifically, the NDAA coming before the House provides a two-year authorization to deploy American troops to train and equip the so-called moderate Syrian rebels. The Congress should have the chance to hold a separate vote on that provision. In September, a majority in Congress voted to temporarily authorize preparation for such a mission for a short period ending December 11th. The temporary authorization included robust provisions for Congressional oversight and mandated reporting requirements. No new funding was authorized at that time. The Administration has requested $500 million as part of this new authorization. This NDAA provision is written so that -- with the sole consent of the four defense committees -- the amount could well exceed the requested $500 million. Additionally, the movement of American forces on the ground in other countries of the region is a very consequential decision. A matter of that importance should not be tucked into a huge NDAA bill and shielded from a separate vote.

Given the importance of this decision to use American troops to train and equip so-called moderate Syrian rebels in places like Saudi Arabia, Congress has a duty to debate and vote separately on this question. We must not abdicate our responsibility to the American people and the men and women who serve in our military.

Sincerely,