Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the White House announcement that the Assad regime in Syria has used chemical weapons against the opposition:

“It is now clear that the Assad regime has crossed a red line.  I  support the President’s decision to expand assistance for the vetted Syrian opposition, and I encourage the Administration to begin, in earnest, arming the Free Syrian Army.  At this moment, they are struggling against Iranian-backed terrorists and a despotic regime that has attacked its own people with chemical weapons.  I urge the President to make efforts to stem the flow of refugees into neighboring countries.  The outcome of the Syrian conflict is critical to regional stability and for repulsing the growth of Iranian influence and extremism throughout the region.” 

###