Sen. Moran remains opposed to military action in Syria

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) remains opposed to a military strike in Syria in wake of President Obama's speech to the nation Tuesday evening.

Full statement from Moran:

“After meeting with President Obama yesterday, and reviewing his speech to Americans last night, I remain strongly opposed to the use of military force in Syria. It is becoming increasingly clear that the President does not have a coherent strategy for intervention. He continually fails to detail the parameters of our national security interests, goals and an exit strategy.

“A vote in Congress has been put on hold as the Administration waits to see whether Russia’s interest in a diplomatic solution is genuine. I have serious doubts, and should the negotiations result in nothing, I expect the President to return to Capitol Hill and allow Congress to use its Constitutionally-vested power to debate and vote on whether to intervene in Syria. Our country cannot afford another conflict that taxes our resources without achieving goals that advance American interests.”

Roberts, Jenkins remain opposed to military strike against Syria

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

After meetings on Tuesday with the White House, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, both Republicans from Kansas, reiterated their opposition to using the military in response to a chemical weapons attack in Syria.

After President Barack Obama met with the Senate, Roberts said, "This past month at home, not a single Kansan told me they supported military action in Syria."

And Roberts said he didn't believe a diplomatic proposal involving Russia and the United Nations to have Syrian President Bashar Assad give up chemical weapons was credible.

“There is nothing I trust about the U.N., Russia or the Assad regime," Roberts said. "By offering this diplomatic path, we are simply providing a delayed mechanism for the president to pursue his goal of a military strike when the regime does not comply. At that time, I believe Kansans, and all Americans, will feel the same as they do today: opposed to military strikes in Syria.”

Roberts also criticized Obama, saying Kansans "are discouraged, concerned and disgusted with the lack of leadership within the administration. I share all of these sentiments. The actions displayed by the president and the secretary of state do not inspire confidence."

Yoder expresses initial opposition to action in Syria

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder said tonight that as of Saturday, he would not support military action against Syria.

However, he said he would give "full consideration" to President Barack Obama's plan for Syria.

Full statement:

I do not believe a military attack against Syria is warranted at this time.  However, I do appreciate today's announcement by the President that he will seek the input of the American people and the consent of Congress. I look forward to discussing the President's plan with my constituents and giving it full consideration on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

Moran says he won't support military action against Syria for now

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) announced Saturday night that he will oppose military action against Syria --- "at this time."

Moran released a statement Saturday evening after President Barack Obama announced earlier in the day that he would seek Congressional authorization to use military action against Syria.

Moran said America could not afford another military conflict.

Full statement from Moran's office:

“Congress will soon use its Constitutionally-vested power to debate and vote on whether to intervene in Syria. America cannot afford another conflict that taxes our resources without achieving goals that advance American interests, and I will not support authorizing military action against Syria at this time.”

Rep. Yoder: Congressional approval needed before action in Syria

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder said today that President Obama needs to make the case before the United States Congress before launching any attacks against the nation of Syria.

Yoder and other members of Congress sent a letter to Obama today urging approval before using military force and intervening in the civil war that's on-going in Syria.

"There are atrocities going on in Syria that are heartbreaking," Yoder said in a statement today. "When I listen to my constituents, there is real fatigue with having brave men and women overseas in harm’s way. We don’t know who our friends are in Syria, and we don’t know who our enemies are."

Yoder added that he believes the case has not been adequately made quite yet.

"The President must make the case to Congress before any military action is taken in Syria, and I don’t think he has made the case yet," he said.

U.S. intervention is likely, according to military experts, after chemical weapons were used this week.

Roberts says war with Syria likely

By PETER HANCOCK, The Lawrence Journal-World

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts said today that it appears the United States is headed for war in Syria, especially in light of recent reports that government forces there used chemical weapons against Syrian rebels.

"I don't see any way out of it," the Kansas Republican said in a speech to the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon this afternoon. "I think (President Barack Obama) has to use military force."

But Roberts said he believes the American people are "war-weary" and he does not believe military action will involve sending ground forces into Syria.

"We're not going to put boots on the ground," he said. "I don't think this president would put boots on the ground anyway. He is taking boots off the ground. He did that in Iraq."

Roberts' comments came on the same day that the White House said it was considering military options, but that those options do not involve taking down the regime of Syrian President Bashar Hafez al-Assad.

During his speech in Lawrence, Roberts indicated that he doesn't believe the president has decided what the aim of any U.S. military action should be. And he strongly urged the president to consult with Congress before taking any action.

"Whatever is done is going to have to be done strategically and with considerable thought, and really change the outcome of what happens in regards to Syria," Roberts said. "I am not sure the president is ready to do that."

Roberts was in Lawrence Tuesday as part of a statewide tour while Congress takes its traditional August recess.

In his remarks to the Chamber of Commerce audience, Roberts also spoke about several other issues pending in Washington, including the possibility of a federal government shutdown if Congress cannot agree on a budget before Oct. 1.

Some congressional Republicans have talked about refusing to pass a budget that includes funding for the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." And the president has indicated he will not sign a budget that does not include funding for his foremost legislative program.

Starting Oct. 1, people without insurance can start shopping for subsidized coverage in state-based exchange markets. And starting Jan. 1, most adults will fall under a mandate to either have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.