{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5e76da5c-0968-4a62-b624-54be4c321d2d", "Heitkamp Statement on the President\u2019s Speech on Syria", "2013-09-10", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after the President\u2019s speech this evening on Syria, and the need to prevent and deter the use of chemical weapons.\r\nHeitkamp has co-authored legislation with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) that seeks a diplomatic alternative in Syria by giving the Assad government 45 days to sign the chemical weapons ban and begin the process of turning over its chemical weapons.\u00a0 During this time, the U.S. would work to build international support and create a global response on the use of chemical weapons in Syria.\u00a0 If, after 45 days, the Assad regime doesn't comply, then the President would have authority to use his national power to prevent and deter the use of chemical weapons in Syria.\r\n\"Tonight, the President spoke to the American people about the terrible atrocities recently committed by the Syrian government, and how\u00a0the Assad regime\u2019s crimes against humanity cannot be ignored. \u00a0 I\u2019m glad the President now agrees that we should seek a diplomatic solution first, and will engage in a renewed effort with the United Nations.\u00a0 We need to act in our country\u2019s strategic interest, and that means exhausting any diplomatic options before considering the use of force.\r\n\u201cThe recent news about Assad accepting a Russian proposal to turn over its chemical weapons to international control is promising.\u00a0 It demonstrates there is a stronger appetite for a diplomatic solution that builds robust international support \u2013 just like my legislation aims to do.\u00a0 But actions speak louder than words, and we haven\u2019t seen any action yet.\r\n\"As the diplomatic process the President discussed continues, our nation should keep building international support and putting pressure on the Assad regime to turn over its chemical weapons. \u00a0And the Senate should continue to consider alternate plans that focus on diplomatic efforts, such as the plan I have put forth.\u201d\r\n\u00a0###", 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://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5e76da5c-0968-4a62-b624-54be4c321d2d"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9727790020406246, "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"}