WASHINGTON – In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asked the secretary to follow through on a commitment to provide a detailed briefing for members of the committee on the U.S. strategy in Syria. In testimony today before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry offered to brief members on Syria.
“Given your stated commitment to provide full information to our committee about the U.S. role in Syria, I am renewing a request for a detailed briefing, originally agreed to by Assistant Secretary Anne Patterson almost 14 days ago, on the full scope of U.S. involvement in Syria, in whatever setting is appropriate,” wrote Corker in his letter. “As I asked in today’s hearing, I would like for you to clearly state our Syria strategy, providing all information about U.S. government activities in Syria.”
Full text of the letter to Secretary Kerry is included below and in the attached document.
Dear Secretary Kerry,
While we may differ on the administration’s handling of the Syria crisis, I am glad that you agree the committee should be fully informed about U.S. policy in Syria. As you know, our committee, on which you served for 28 years, supported the president’s request for an authorization to use military force in Syria on a bipartisan basis. Furthermore, last May, we passed legislation on a 15-3 vote to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for Syria, including authorization for lethal assistance to vetted members of the opposition.
Given your stated commitment to provide full information to our committee about the U.S. role in Syria, I am renewing a request for a detailed briefing, originally agreed to by Assistant Secretary Anne Patterson almost 14 days ago, on the full scope of U.S. involvement in Syria, in whatever setting is appropriate. As I asked in today’s hearing, I would like for you to clearly state our Syria strategy, providing all information about U.S. government activities in Syria.
Recognizing the urgency to halt this worsening conflict as over time it becomes a possible direct threat to the U.S. homeland, I look forward to your prompt response to this request.
Sincerely,
Senator Bob Corker
Ranking Member
###