Kerry's Senate replacement a 'no' vote on existing Syria resolution
Washington (CNN) – The man who replaced John Kerry, who left the Senate to become secretary of state, will not support the military strike against Syria that his predecessor has been advocating.
Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey voted "present" last week when the Senate Foreign Relations committee passed a resolution authorizing the president to take military action in Syria.
The new senator, who was endorsed by Kerry in the special election to fill the vacant Massachusetts seat, released a statement Tuesday calling the existing Senate resolution too broad and unpredictable with potential unintended consequences.
Instead, Markey urged the Obama administration to pursue the handover of Syria's chemical weapons proposed Monday by the Russian government.
"I believe we must give diplomatic measures that could avoid military action a chance to work," Markey said in the statement.
A group of senators is currently trying to rewrite a resolution that addresses the new diplomatic efforts underway by the international community.
"Any resolution considered by Congress should include language that that anticipates that force would not be used if Syria agrees and abides by Secretary Kerry's suggestion that Assad puts all of Syria's chemical weapons under international control," Markey said.
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Sometimes voting for a resolution opens up diplomacy. Go home Markey.
I'm glad that we've put pressure on the Russians to act decisively with their pet country, Syria. Syria is something that they should have taken responsibility for a long time ago. The Russians find themselves in the embarrasing position of giving the appearance of either condoning the use of chemical weapons, or disciplining their strategic partner in crime.
Nobody likes a fence-sitter.
Syria will not give up anything. Unless you have forgotten, Syria is in the middle of a civil war. Verifying and enforcing this deal will be next to impossible.
Has he voted yet .
The Russians need a pat on the back for this stunning diplomatic breakthrough that really shows how the entire world appreciates peace. Let it be proclaimed to our women folks all over the world that Obama, the noble peace prize winner saved 1000 lives, while Putin without noble peace prize accolade saved 10,000..
Perhaps I'm failing to comprehend this as I wolf down lunch, but it appears Markey is boldly opposing last week's resolution which will likely be obsolete.
Data Driven
Perhaps I'm failing to comprehend this as I wolf down lunch, but it appears Markey is boldly opposing last week's resolution which will likely be obsolete.
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We here in Massachusetts have become accustomed to Ed Markey doing a whole lot of nothing. Dude is as useless as a screen door on a submarine.
Name Uche Agonsi
The Russians need a pat on the back for this stunning diplomatic breakthrough that really shows how the entire world appreciates peace. Let it be proclaimed to our women folks all over the world that Obama, the noble peace prize winner saved 1000 lives, while Putin without noble peace prize accolade saved 10,000..
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I see how the right is going to paint this as Putin's put down of Pres. Obama, when in fact it was Obama who approached Putin at the G20 summit and presented the idea to Putin. After all, Syria is Russia's responsibility and their inaction and unwillingness to act against Assad meant that they were tacitly condoning Assad's apparent use of WMDs.
Well Fair, so far I can't gainsay you. Markey isn't showing good leadership for the Democrats. I agree with his stated wishes for the NEXT vote, but he should've demonstrated principle last week by voting No on that resolution, if that's what he believes.
Oh well, politicians first, statesmen in retirement ...
Fair is Fair wrote:
We here in Massachusetts have become accustomed to Ed Markey doing a whole lot of nothing. Dude is as useless as a screen door on a submarine.
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The last remark from you that had any useful substance about it was some euphemism about the Ryan Plan before Romney lost.
Sniffit - Nobody likes a fence-sitter.
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obama voted present hundreds of times.... and now he has acted that way as president. and you seem to like him. wonder why? anything to do with his sk.....
Rudy NYC
I'm glad that we've put pressure on the Russians to act decisively with their pet country, Syria.
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wow.... spinning like a top there rudy! what pressure has been put on the russians and by whom? truth is putin has been playing obama like a cheap used fiddle in this whole matter. putin has embarrased obama in front of the entire globe and run rings around him diplomatically. and i am sur ehe is loving every second of it. obama... not so much.
Rudy NYC
I see how the right is going to paint this as Putin's put down of Pres. Obama, when in fact it was Obama who approached Putin at the G20 summit and presented the idea to Putin.
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ohh wow!! rudy was over there at the summit and listened in on all of the conversations! bwahahahaha!!! come rudy, give the lie machine a rest for today.