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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBipartisan Bill to Ban Arms Shipments to Syria Introduced
Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have introduced legislation that would block military funds from going to Syria.
Text of the bill below, courtesy of Sen. Udall's office:
Title: To restrict funds related to escalating United States military involvement in Syria.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Americans from the Proliferation of Weapons to Terrorists Act of 2013”.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON FUNDS TO ESCALATE UNITED STATES MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN SYRIA.
(a) In General.—Except as provided under subsection (b), no funds made available to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, or any other agency or entity of the United States involved in intelligence activities may be obligated or expended for the purpose of, or in a manner which would have the effect of, supporting, directly or indirectly, military or paramilitary operations in Syria by any nation, group, organization, movement, or individual.
(b) Exception.—The prohibition under subsection (a) does not apply to funds obligated for non-lethal humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people provided directly by the United States Government, through nongovernmental organizations and contractors, or through foreign governments.
(c) Duration of Prohibition.—The prohibition under subsection (a) shall cease to apply only if a joint resolution approving assistance for military or paramilitary operations in Syria is enacted.
(d) Quarterly Reports.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a report on assistance provided to groups, organizations, movements, and individuals in Syria.
(e) Non-lethal Humanitarian Assistance Defined.—In this Act, the term “non-lethal humanitarian assistance” means humanitarian assistance that is not weapons, ammunition, or other equipment or material that is designed to inflict serious bodily harm or death.
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These four senators represent the sentiment of the vast majority of the American public. According to a recent Pew poll:
http://www.people-press.org/2013/06/17/public-remains-opposed-to-arming-syrian-rebels/, 70% oppose American intervention, with only 20% in favor.
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Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)No. I stand with Democratic senators Udall and Murphy.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"If Rand Paul is fer it, do I have to be agin' it?"
...Rand Paul: http://www.nagr.org/UN_lp_survey2.aspx
"Fer" sure!!!
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)No. Rand Paul says and does a lot of stupid shit. But he also gets some things right sometimes. In addition to a non-interventionist foreign policy and a healthy skepticism about the national surveillance state, he is also good on the federal drug war. Everything else, not so much.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"If Rand Paul is fer it, do I have to be fer it? No. Rand Paul says and does a lot of stupid shit. But he also gets some things right sometimes. In addition to a non-interventionist foreign policy and a healthy skepticism about the national surveillance state, he is also good on the federal drug war. Everything else, not so much.
...yes he does. He's a hypocrite and an opportunist, batshit like his poppy (maybe worse).
Rand Paul: Any attack on Israel will be treated as an attack on the United States
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022472458
Disappointing those who 'stand with Rand'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022742805
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)I applaud the two Democratic senators who co-sponsored this. Where are the others?
leveymg
(36,418 posts)Too many neocons and chickenhawks, too much AIPAC influence, and secretly a lot of the DC elites simply enjoy smashing smaller countries against the wall, every now and then, just to stay in practice and as an example to the rest.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)And it has the support of 70% of the public.
Uh-oh, I suppose you're right. It's doomed.
