Missouri lawmakers respond to joint airstrikes on Syria
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Missouri lawmakers have expressed their support of President Donald Trump's decision to launch an attack on Syria.
Pres. Trump addressed the nation Friday night saying the airstrikes were "to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons." The President alluded to an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government on its own people. Joining the United States in retaliation were allied nations France and the United Kingdom.
Missouri lawmakers shared their thoughts about the decision to take military action.
U.S. Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt released a statement Friday in support of the joint airstrikes.
"President Trump, along with our allies, organized the right response to Bashar al-Assad’s horrific chemical attack," the republican senator said.
"I commend the swift action on the part of all the military forces that carried out this mission. I support this effort and believe the president has the full authority to take these actions.”
U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver said in a tweet a response to Syria is necessary, but said strategy is key.
"When it comes to Syria, we must respond to show this kind of cowardly attack is unacceptable, but we must do it strategically," the democratic congressman said.
Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer praised the president Saturday after news of the successful mission.
“We have all seen the horrific images from the chemical attacks Syria recently launched on its own people," the republican lawmaker said.
"I applaud President Trump and our allies, the United Kingdom and France, on their actions last night. We have made it clear to Assad, Iran and Russia that the world will not stand for this barbaric treatment of innocent men, women, and children.”
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley echoed Luetkemeyer's sentiment agreeing Pres. Trump's decision was the right one.
"President Trump issued a targeted response in Syria last night that sends a strong warning to the Assad regime: the atrocities on its people must stop," he said in a tweet. "Had President Obama and Hillary stood up to Syria, we wouldn't be where we are now."
Saturday morning Russia requested an emergency meeting with the United Nations Security Council. The U.N. Security Council met and later rejected the Russian resolution requesting to condemn what Russia deemed an act of aggression by the U.S. and allies against Syria.
Russia, China and Bolivia were the only countries who voted in favor of the resolution at the end of the emergency meeting. To pass the the resolution, nine members of the 15-member council needed to have voted yes. Eight countries voted against and three abstained, according to the Associated Press.
In Syria, hundreds of civilians demonstrated in a landmark square of Damascus Saturday morning, waving victory signs and honking their car horns in a show of defiance.