Press Releases

Last night, Representative Carlos Curbelo commended the President’s decision to conduct an airstrike against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Curbelo has repeatedly and consistently called for decisive action to be taken against the Assad regime in Syria since 2013:

August 28, 2013:

August 30, 2013:

September 3, 2013: Press Release: “Carlos Curbelo Calls for Decisive Action in Syria”

• Curbelo: “The Administration has reached the correct decision in holding Bashar al Assad accountable for brutally gassing innocent civilians including infants. As leader of the free world, America cannot afford to stand idle while murderous dictators commit crimes against humanity using weapons of mass destruction. However, the President's poor execution has damaged US credibility abroad and weakened the institution of the Presidency here at home. Now Congressional leaders must show they have the courage the President lacks by approving limited and strategic military action against the Assad regime.”

September 4, 2013:

September 12, 2015: Curbelo: “Approximately 250,000 people have been killed. This Administration said early on that Bashar al-Assad had to go. Nothing happened. Then the Administration said that if Mr. al-Assad used chemical weapons then he really had to go. The dictator did, gassing innocent people, including children. And the world did nothing. This is a heavy burden we carry now, and that is why it is essential we do everything we can to assist these refugees.”

December 2, 2015:

February 5, 2016: Curbelo: “The Administration’s mismanagement & incompetence in dealing with Syria is close to immoral.”

September 12, 2016: Curbelo: “Mr. Speaker, today I rise again to strongly condemn Bashar al-Assad’s atrocities against the Syrian people. It has been reported that the government has once again unleashed barrel bombs with chlorine gas in Aleppo as the regime continues its brutal siege of that city. Victims of the attack suffered from breathing difficulties similar to the symptoms we have seen in the past when the government ignored international law by assaulting innocent people with chemical weapons. This was the second recent chlorine attack that affected Syrians who have been cut off from aid and are unable to escape.”

• Curbelo: “In spite of repeated warnings, the Syrian government continues to utilize barrel bombs filled with chemical weapons as a tool to remain in power. This continued disregard for human life and the well-being of Syrians underscores why Assad must go, and not be allowed to take part in the political transition discussions for Syria’s future. The death and destruction in Syria is one of the greatest blemishes on human history. The entire world must do more to put an end to it.”

November 15, 2016: Curbelo: “Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 5732, the Cesar Syria Protection Act of 2016. This legislation would impose sanction on those who are responsible for the Syrian humanitarian crisis and on those who hinder or deny humanitarian assistance in Syria by declaring that to being a serious abuse of human rights.”

• Curbelo: “I have consistently said that the conflict in Syria is one of the greatest blemishes on human history. And it’s imperative that we do more to put an end to it.”

• Curbelo: “Since 2011, millions have been forced to flee from their home to escape the brutal violence and unlivable conditions that plague the country. Half a million people have died. I believe that strong action is long overdue. HR 5732 is a step forward, and I encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of it. I want to thank Rep. Engel for introducing this important legislation and chairman Royce for all of his work.”

November 22, 2016: Curbelo: “With the recent bombings of two civilian hospitals in Aleppo, things have escalated to nothing short of terrifying. Shame on the international community for allowing Assad to remain in power this long. His regime has crossed countless red lines with the support of Iran and Russia - all with absolute impunity. This situation is unconscionable and cannot remain.”

December 14, 2016: Curbelo: “What's happening to the Syrian people in Aleppo is a devastating consequence of weak American leadership. The focus today is, and should continue to be, on finding relief for the unimaginable suffering of the people being brutalized by Assad's forces. We also need to be cognizant of the serious implications Assad's power has on U.S. national security. With the backing of Russia and Iran, an Assad-led Syria will continue to undermine American interests in the Middle East and around the world. I am committed to working with the incoming Administration as they seek to alleviate the suffering of Aleppo’s victims, one of the great blights on human history.”

February 14, 2017: Curbelo: “Not only did the Obama Administration fail to act at that critical point in 2013, they also invited the Russians into the conflict. For three more years innocent Syrians were bombed to death by Assad and Russian military forces. Hospitals and schools were destroyed, and the civilized world just watched as Aleppo and others cities burned. In short, with few exceptions, Obama and other world leaders - including those of majority Muslim countries - turned their backs on the Syrian people. It was shameful and unforgivable and will have many harmful ramifications for years to come. The lesson is American leadership is necessary in the world. Serious world conflicts we ignore will eventually show up in our homeland.”

April 4, 2017: Press Release: “Curbelo: On Syria, America Must Lead”

• Curbelo: “This most recent attack is another example of Bashar al Assad’s sick obsession with remaining in power, even if that means resorting to brutal tactics that kill his own people and continue to destroy the country. Bashar al Assad is a terrorist and has no place in the community of world leaders.  

• Curbelo: “Tragically, this attack and others like it could have been avoided. Our country, under the leadership of the previous Administration, and our democratic allies around the world share the blame for Assad’s crimes against humanity. The red line for using chemical weapons against civilians was ignored and the deal with Russia to remove these weapons from Syria was clearly a charade. Regrettably the new Administration has thus far failed to inspire confidence on Syria by stating just last week that Assad abandoning power is no longer a priority. This is unacceptable. The President and the State Department should reconsider before more innocent civilians and children are gassed to death.”