WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on President Obama's announcement that he will deploy troops to Syria:
"From the beginning of the conflict in Syria, I have opposed putting boots on the ground. While it is clear that the situation in Syria is deteriorating, I believe that deploying U.S. forces to Syria now is another dangerous escalation in our involvement, which puts our troops directly in harm's way.
"I am also very concerned that we are sliding deeper into yet another war in the Middle East with no limitations on time, geographic scope and cost. Middle Eastern nations must take the lead on eliminating ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and we should assist them and protect our allies."
Udall has backed measures calling for a limited one-year Authorization for the Use of Military Force and to prevent the United States from sending American ground troops to Syria.
