Ron Paul looks to block military operations in Syria

By Pete Kasperowicz - 06/19/12 11:20 AM ET

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said he would introduce legislation this week that would block what he said are the Obama administration's unilateral plans to involve itself militarily with Syria.

"This week I'm introducing legislation to prohibit the administration, absent a declaration of war by Congress, from supporting directly or indirectly any military or paramilitary operations in Syria," Paul said on the House floor. "I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort."

Paul said rumors that the administration is looking to use military force in Syria appear to be true in light of new press reports that the Defense Department is planning on that eventuality. But Paul, a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination this year, accused the administration of spreading "war propaganda" to justify military action.

"In my opinion, all the evidence to justify this attack is bogus," he said. "It is no more credible than the pretext given for the 2003 invasion of Iraq or for the 2011 attack on Libya."

He charged that a war is just the latest attempt to challenge the Iranian government and control Middle East oil. "Most knowledgeable people now recognize that the planned war against Syria is merely the next step to take on the Iranian government, something the neocons openly admit," he said.

Paul also repeated his longstanding complaint that many the wars of the last few decades have been started without congressional approval, and said his bill is needed to guarantee that Congress has a say.

"Whether or not we attack yet another country, occupying it, and setting up a new regime that we hope we can control poses a serious constitutional question: from where does a president get such authority?" he asked.

"Since World War II, the proper authority to go to war has been ignored. It has been replaced by international entities like the United Nations and NATO, or the president himself, while ignoring the Congress."