Kaine, Warner praise Obama for move to seek authorization on Syria

U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner praised President Barack Obama’s decision to seek congressional authorization for military action in Syria:

“I strongly support the president’s decision to seek congressional approval of military action in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons,” said Kaine, D-Va.. “Our nation is stronger in military matters when we act in a united fashion. The opportunity to fully debate this difficult situation will help educate the American public about the important issues at stake and ultimately provide a political consensus that our servicemembers must be able to rely on.”

“I commend the president for the decision to seek authorization from Congress,” Warner said. “The decision about whether or not to use military force in response to the Syrian atrocities raises significant issues that should be considered and debated by Congress. This debate will help define how America views its role as a world power.

“The tone that we use while having this discussion also is vitally important,” Warner said. “These are issues that should not break down along typical partisan lines, and the debate will provide an opportunity to demonstrate that America’s elected leadership can come together to resolve serious issues. People across the country and indeed around the world will be watching closely as the world’s greatest democracy debates, and then decides, these important questions.”