Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement after Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution to launch an investigation of chemical attacks in Syria:

“Vladimir Putin continues to shamelessly shield the murderous Assad regime. Through its obstruction at the U.N. and its actions on the ground, Russia is responsible for the deaths of countless innocent men, women and children in Syria.

“The use of chemical weapons cannot be tolerated. Working with our allies, the United States must hold those responsible for these atrocities to account. And Congress can do its part, starting by sending the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to the president’s desk.”

NOTE: Last year, the House unanimously passed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, H.R. 1677, to help stop the slaughter of the Syrian people and hold Assad and his Russian and Iranian enablers responsible for their crimes.

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