have been exposed to gas and you know that no one benefits from that taboo more than do american troops. i'm also deeply worried that our inaction is destabilizing the middle east in particular our allies in israel and jordan as well as turkey. and emboldening iran as they send thousands of troops to fight in syria along with hezbollah, its terrorist proxy from lebanon. so that is why miracle miracles, i am in support of the president's call for action in syria. i am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this action as well. however, the president's stated policy was not just a red line against chemical weapons which as mr. sherman said occurred without any objection from members of congress and occurred before he was re-elected by the