Republican lawmakers praise Syria strike

Washington, April 7 (IANS) US Senate and House Republicans supported Donald Trump’s decision to strike against the Syrian government, but cautioned the President against unilaterally starting another war in the Middle East, a media report said.

On Thursday night, the US launched 59 cruise missiles into Syria in retaliation for Tuesday’s chemical weapons attack on civilians that killed over 80 people, including children.

This is Washington’s first direct military attack on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham — who have frequently been critical of Trump — praised the President’s decision, CNN reported.

"Acting on the orders of their commander-in-chief, they have sent an important message the US will no longer stand idly by as Assad, aided and abetted by (President Vladimir) Putin’s Russia, slaughters innocent Syrians with chemical weapons and barrel bombs," McCain and Graham said in a joint statement.

"Unlike the previous administration, President Trump confronted a pivotal moment in Syria and took action. For that, he deserves the support of the American people."

House Speaker Paul Ryan called the US military action "appropriate and just."

"These tactical strikes make clear that the Assad regime can no longer count on American inaction as it carries out atrocities against the Syrian people," Ryan said.

However, some Republicans also lawmakers argued that Trump does not have the authority to launch strikes against the Assad regime, CNN reported.

In 2013, President Barack Obama went to Congress before he would launch strikes against Assad, and the effort ultimately fizzled.

Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has frequently questioned military intervention, warned Trump that Congress must approve new action in the region.

"While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, The President needs Congressional authorisation for military action as required by the Constitution. Our prior interventions in this region have done nothing to make us safer and Syria will be no different," Paul said.

Justin Amash, a Michigan Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus, also called for congressional action.

"Airstrikes are an act of war. Atrocities in Syria cannot justify departure from Constitution, which vests in Congress power to commence war."