Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin has decided to vote against authorizing war against Syria. Baldwin, one of the most progressive members of the Senate, was heckled in Madison on Saturday for deliberating over her decision. On Tuesday, she came out with a forceful speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday explaining why she opposes the war authorization.
She denounced the Assad's regime for its "use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people," which she called "morally reprehensible and a serious violation of long-standing international law."
She also praised President Obama for making "the right choice to seek Congressional authorization for any potential military action in Syria."
She added:
"We must demand that all Presidents -- not just this President -- come to Congress to get approval before taking military action in another country in instances where we are not facing an imminent threat."
She said the United States shouldn't go it alone.
"I strongly believe that our response to this situation must not be a unilateral military action," she said. "This is not America's responsibility alone. And it is not in our interest to set the precedent that is our responsibility alone. Syria violated international laws and should be held accountable by the international community. America must not act alone."
And she said she didn't want the United States to get embroiled in the middle of a civil war.
"I do not believe in engaging and involving ourselves militarily in the middle of a brutal, years-long civil war," she said. "That will not strengthen America's national security.
She was adamant, saying she opposed "authorizing military involvement in Syria's civil war. Not for one day, not for 60 days. Not for a decade."
You can watch Baldwin's speech below.
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