WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement today after cutting short the scheduled recess to return to Washington to attend classified briefings on Syria:

“As Congress prepares to debate the important question of authorizing military force against the Assad regime in Syria, it is critical that I thoroughly study the evidence and hear the arguments presented by the Administration, my colleagues, and the people of Maine who have reached out to me.

“This morning I returned to Washington to attend a Senate and House classified briefing on the situation in Syria, as well as a Senate Intelligence Committee classified briefing on the intelligence assessment related to chemical weapons. Tomorrow, I plan to attend a Senate Armed Services Committee classified briefing on military strategy and its possible ramifications.

“I have not yet arrived at a decision on how I will vote, but as I have previously said, I will continue to examine the facts and hear the arguments before arriving at a conclusion that I believe will best serve the interests of the United States.”

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