FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 19, 2018
 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) took to the Senate floor to object to legislation that would prolong the conflict in Syria and hinder their rebuilding process.
 
In his brief remarks, Dr. Paul thanked President Trump for bringing American troops home from the war-torn country, a decision Dr. Paul has long advocated for as part of his efforts to restore a focused and constitutional foreign policy. Dr. Paul also called for a shift to diplomacy instead of new sanctions.
 
“Today, President Trump announced that we have won the war against ISIS in Syria. Our troops are coming home. Thank you, Mr. President. The Syrian Civil War is largely over, but Syria’s a mess and desperately needs reconstruction. These sanctions will delay and possibly prevent reconstruction of Syria and the beginning of a healing time. Now is the time for diplomacy. There are many actors, including Russia, Iran, Turkey, the U.S., and others, but this is the time for diplomacy, not for new sanctions. So I object,” Dr. Paul said on the Senate floor.
 
You can find video of tonight’s remarks HERE.
 
In another speech on the Senate floor earlier today, where he also called for greater oversight of the Deep State, Dr. Paul addressed the Washington mentality that has weakened our national security and led politicians to keep U.S. troops perpetually tied up in conflicts all over the world, saying, “Most of the voices around here like to stay everywhere for all time, and they believe that it doesn’t work unless you go somewhere and stay forever.”
 
In contrast, Dr. Paul observed that President Trump “has the courage to say, ‘We won in Syria, and we’re coming home.'” On multiple occasions, Dr. Paul has encouraged President Trump to focus on an America-First policy, which would include bringing troops home from multiple locations in the Middle East, including Syria and Afghanistan.
 
You can watch Dr. Paul’s earlier comments on Syria HERE, and you can find his entire speech from this morning HERE.

###