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Kuster Has 'Grave Concerns,' Shea-Porter 'Firmly Against' U.S. Intervention In Syria

File Photo, NHPR

Second District Congresswoman Annie Kuster says she still has "grave concerns" about the proposed use of U.S. Military intervention in Syria.

Appearing on The Exchange, Representative Kuster says she’s been told during briefings that the U.S. military has neither the ability nor the intention of eliminating the Syrian government’s chemical weapons.

“Because of the risk of a cloud that would develop that would be harmful not only to the Syrian people but to the two million refugees that have fled Syria and the neighboring countries.”

That’s why she says she remains unconvinced a limited strike is in the best interest of national security.

“If we cannot eliminate these weapons, then by creating a more chaotic situation in a war-torn nation, we risk that we cannot contain these weapons.”

Kuster says 5,000 of her constituents took part in a telephone town hall meeting last week on the issue.

She says she is heading back to Washington today, as Congressional votes loom on the resolution authorizing a strike.

Meanwhile, 1st District Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter says she is "firmly against" any air attack and plans to vote no on the resolution.

President Obama continues to make the case for intervention.

He is scheduled to address the nation tomorrow night.

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.

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