Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) could vote "no" on President Barack Obama's proposed military action in Syria, saying in a statement Saturday that limited action would "send the wrong signal."
The senators released a statement Saturday after Obama said he would seek Congressional approval on taking action in Syria. McCain and Graham said Obama's proposal, which included action "designed to be limited in duration and scope," would be "an inadequate response" to violence in the country.
"[W]e cannot in good conscience support isolated military strikes in Syria that are not part of an overall strategy that can change the momentum on the battlefield, achieve the President's stated goal of Assad's removal from power, and bring an end to this conflict, which is a growing threat to our national security interests," the senators said in their statement.
In March 2013, McCain and Graham -- two of the most vocal proponents for U.S. involvement in Syria -- increased pressure on Obama to approve U.S. military involvement in the Middle East nation.
Below, the senators' full statement on Syria:
We believe President Obama is correct that the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons requires a military response by the United States and our friends and allies. Since the President is now seeking Congressional support for this action, the Congress must act as soon as possible.
However, we cannot in good conscience support isolated military strikes in Syria that are not part of an overall strategy that can change the momentum on the battlefield, achieve the President's stated goal of Assad's removal from power, and bring an end to this conflict, which is a growing threat to our national security interests. Anything short of this would be an inadequate response to the crimes against humanity that Assad and his forces are committing. And it would send the wrong signal to America's friends and allies, the Syrian opposition, the Assad regime, Iran, and the world – all of whom are watching closely what actions America will take.
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