releases: https://web.archive.org/web/20140222210922/http://hultgren.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=555
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://web.archive.org/web/20140222210922/http://hultgren.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=555 | Hultgren Urges President Obama to Seek Congressional Approval Prior to Military Engagement in Syria | 2013-08-29 | 2013 | 2013-08 | Republican | House | IL | Randy Hultgren | H001059 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington, D.C. — Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) this week, along with 115 Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, signed a letter urging President Obama to follow the Constitution and convene Congress to seek their authorization before using military force in Syria. “The horrific conflict in Syria only gets worse as more and more lives are lost, but that does not give the President authority to ignore our Constitution in matters of military engagement,” said Rep. Hultgren. “The Constitution is definitive when it comes to engaging U.S. military forces and we expect that the president would seek congressional authorization prior to committing U.S. military assets. We are ready to come back to Washington to deal with this issue head-on, carefully consider our options and, if necessary, act.” The full letter is available here: http://rigell.house.gov/uploadedfiles/8.28.13_letter_to_potus_with_signatories.pdf. Excerpts of the letter follow. Dear Mr. President, We strongly urge you to consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria. Your responsibility to do so is prescribed in the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973. While the Founders wisely gave the Office of the President the authority to act in emergencies, they foresaw the need to ensure public debate – and the active engagement of Congress – prior to committing U.S. military assets. Engaging 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. …If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request. 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. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |