The latest on how Virginia Congressman will vote on the resolution to give the President the authority to conduct limited military strikes on Syria:
In Virginia’s first district Congressman Rob Wittman has “grave concerns about U.S. involvement in Syria.”
“I remain unconvinced that launching a ‘limited strike’ on Syria without broad international support would present an acceptable outcome to the ongoing civil war. At this time, I am also unconvinced that we have a clear objective and endgame for the mission we are potentially asking our all-volunteer force to execute,” Wittman said. “Asking them to carry out a ‘limited strike’ will not alter the course of Syria to freedom and peace, and it could lead to another enduring combat operation for our forces, one they will be ordered to carry out with limited resources, depleted readiness levels, and a shrinking budget.”
Congressman Scott Rigell, 2nd district, “If I had to vote today, I would vote no. But I expect to learn from the debate”.
Based on statements he has made it is believed that third District Bobby Scott is likely to vote against the resolution.
On Tuesday 4th District Congressman Randy Forbes said he would vote against military action in Syria.
Robert Hurt, Virginia’s 5th district is leaning against approval.
Also leaning against the resolution is 6th District Robert Goodlatte “Mark me down as skeptical”.
Eric Cantor in the 7th district has said he will support the resolution.
In the 8th District Jim Moran will vote for the resolution.
Morgan Griffith in the 9th district remains skeptical but will listen to the debate before making a final decision.
If the vote was held today, Frank Wolf in the 10th district would vote against it.
In the 11th district, Gerry Connelly is supporting the resolution although calls to his district are overwhelmingly opposed.
Virginia totals as of now, three Congressman will vote to support the President, Cantor, Connelly, and Moran. The other eight Virginia Congressman are either firmly against the resolution or leaning toward a no vote.
UPDATE: I learned tonight that calls to Congressman Wolf’s office are running 99 to 1 against giving the President authority in Syria. He will vote against the resolution. Congressman Bobby Scott may vote with Obama but that’s still not known with any certainty. The vote in the Virginia delegation will either be 6 and 3 against the resolution or possibly 7 and 4, depending on Scott.
Currently in the House there are 205 members who are against military action in Syria or leaning that way with only 24 members supporting the resolution. It looks like this resolution will fail in the House, which begs the question, why did Obama go to Congress for support? He must have known that he couldn’t get the votes.
More statements on Syria by the Virginia Congressmen here.
