Pennsylvania lawmakers respond to US attack on Venezuela

How are Pennsylvania politicians reacting to news that the Trump administration launched a strike on Venezuela and arrested President Nicolás Maduro and his wife?

Here are statements from some of the commonwealth’s political leaders:

US Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny)

“Invading a foreign country without congressional approval and kidnapping its leader is a blatant violation of US and international law. This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens international stability and security, puts Americans further at risk, and infringes on the sovereignty of foreign countries. Congress must act and reassert its authority. We must pass a War Powers Resolution and stop this unilateral executive action immediately.”

US Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks)

“Three statements of fact regarding our foreign policy as it pertains to Venezuela:

1. Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate narco-terror dictator. He terrorized his people, dismantled democratic institutions, and turned the machinery of government into a state-backed criminal enterprise—exporting drugs and cartel violence into the United States, with devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands of American lives. His ouster and prosecution are long overdue. We are thankful for the incredible bravery of the men and women of the US military and our national security professionals.

2. The only country that the United States of America should be “running” is the United States of America. The United States should join the international community in monitoring and overseeing a free and fair election in Venezuela, allowing the Venezuelan people a pathway to a true democracy.

3. We must all place paramount importance on lawful process and constitutional responsibility. The Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) resolutions have been interpreted by multiple presidents, under multiple scenarios, to cover groups and situations not initially envisioned, leading to debates about the balance of power between the Article I and Article II branches of government. As the Chairman of the CIA Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, we will continue our coordination and collaboration with CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Important information will be shared in forthcoming briefings, and we will continue our active role of proper congressional oversight. What is already clear, however, is this: terrorists, tyrants, dictators, and drug lords must always be met by justice and the rule of law; the extraordinary men and women of our military and intelligence community are the finest in the world; and the future of a free and democratic Venezuela belongs to the Venezuelan people alone.”

US Rep. Scott Perry (R-Dauphin)

“Socialism and crime are corrosive to people, cultures, and countries. Venezuela’s long nightmare with an illegitimate, criminal leader is finally over, and its people have been given the opportunity to choose a brighter future. Americans, likewise, can sleep better knowing that the steady stream of Venezuelan gang violence, deadly drugs, and sinister Marxism being pumped into our Nation has been dealt a decisive blow where good has prevailed over evil. God bless the world’s premier US Armed Forces and President Trump for getting this done.”

US Sen. John Fetterman (D)

“Grateful for our US military personnel that handled these orders in Venezuela with precision. I maintain that we have the STRONGEST and MOST LETHAL military in the world — today proves that even more.”

US Sen. Dave McCormick (R)

“Congratulations to @POTUS and his team and to our brave troops for this flawlessly executed mission to remove the illegitimate dictator Nicolas Maduro. For years Maduro’s regime killed our children by flooding America’s streets with poison, threatened our borders, and undermined U.S. national security. I urge what’s left of the Maduro regime to honor the will of the Venezuelan people and transition peacefully to rightfully elected leadership.”