New York – Ranking Member Eliot Engel, the senior Democratic member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Obama’s address on Syria.

“The President has laid out a strong and convincing case to the American people for action in Syria. However, I understand his desire to seek explicit authorization to do so from Congress. I call on the Speaker to immediately recall the House back from its August recess and debate this critical issue as soon as possible. As the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee I look forward to leading a spirited debate and hearing from my colleagues on this issue as soon as we return to Washington.”