{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090713/http://pearce.house.gov/press-release/pearce-congressional-approval-needed-action-syria", "PEARCE: CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL NEEDED FOR ACTION IN SYRIA", "2013-08-29", "2013", "2013-08", "Republican", "House", "NM", "Steve Pearce", "P000588", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (August 29, 2013) \u2013 U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce and over one hundred of his colleagues in the House of Representatives have sent a letter to the President \u00a0urging him to \u201cconsult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria.\u201d\n\u201cThe President set a dangerous and unconstitutional precedent when he committed to military action in Libya without congressional approval,\u201d said Pearce.\u00a0 \u201cAmerica cannot fight every battle - intervention in Syria would be a wrong and costly course.\u00a0 In Vietnam, I saw firsthand the consequences that result when we commit to military action hastily and without a clear objective. \u00a0Before the President takes any action, it is his constitutional duty to consult and receive authorization from Congress.\u201d\nThe letter notes that the Constitution and the war Powers Resolution of 1973 both outline the President\u2019s responsibility to seek Congressional authorization: \u201cEngaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.\u201d\nThe letter also notes that \u201cCongress can reconvene at your request.\u00a0 We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict\u201d\nThe letter can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090713/http://pearce.house.gov/press-release/pearce-congressional-approval-needed-action-syria"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7920761127024889, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}