Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, the United States military launched cruise missiles at a Syrian military airfield, responding to chemical attacks perpetrated against Syrian civilians earlier this week. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“The Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own civilians was an inhumane and unforgivable offense that requires an international response,” said Rep. Sewell. “As Americans, we cannot stand by and do nothing, and I believe that the airstrikes launched this week were a proportional response. But to effectively end the brutality of the Assad regime and the suffering of Syrian people, we need a comprehensive strategy with buy-in from lawmakers in Congress and international partners.”

“To address the crisis in Syria, including attacks on Syrian civilians, political instability, and the large-scale immigration of Syrian refugees, our country needs a long-term strategy for ending the violence. Congress can no longer abdicate its responsibility for addressing this international crisis. Any additional use of military force must be approved by the House and Senate.”

“The chemical attacks against Syrian civilians which we responded to this week are only the latest horrors perpetrated by Bashar al-Assad against his own country. As we continue to debate federal policy on providing relief for refugees, it is important to remember the millions of Syrians who have faced years of terror, this week so horrible that our country responded with military action.”

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.