ON SYRIA AIRSTRIKES, JOIS STANDS WITH NJ CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS; MALINOWSKI SIDES WITH REPUBLICANS TRUMP AND LANCE

SUMMIT, NJ – In what has proven to be an already-contentious race for the New Jersey Seventh Congressional District Democratic Party nomination, establishment-backed candidate Tom Malinowski has broken with the state’s Congressional Democrats by backing the recent airstrikes in Syria, aligning himself with Leonard Lance and Donald Trump.

Tom Malinowski’s April 13th Tweet saying that, on Syria, he was willing to support Trump, is out of step with New Jersey Democrats.

Goutam Jois, his Democratic primary opponent, issued the following statement in response: “I’ve said repeatedly that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s chemical weapons attacks are indefensible and atrocious.  But under our Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, the President needs Congressional authorization for the kind of sustained military action Donald Trump proposes.

“On Syria, I stand with New Jersey’s Congressional Democrats — including Senator Booker, Rep. Watson Coleman, and Rep. Pascrell — and the voters in the Seventh District who understand that if the President wants to take sustained military action, he must present a comprehensive strategy to Congress and seek approval.  Tom meanwhile has chosen to stand with Donald Trump and Leonard Lance.”

Sen. Cory Booker has said he is “deeply concerned” about President Trump conducting “military operations without any comprehensive strategy or the necessary Congressional authorization.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has said “No President should have the power to launch attacks on any nation without first receiving authorization from Congress. In fact, it’s illegal and no one person should hold this much power.”

Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. has said “This administration is commencing military action without seeking congressional authorization… Any steps that can be taken to end [the Syrian people’s] suffering should be taken, but only with the consent of Congress and a clear long-term strategy.”

“Tom wants to be the standard-bearer of our party in November, but his comments on Syria show he’s out of step with New Jersey Democrats.” Jois continued, “This is exactly why we have primaries — so candidates can be vetted by voters, who ultimately will decide who best reflects their values.”

Sen. Booker statement: https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=774
Rep. Watson Coleman tweet: https://twitter.com/RepBonnie/status/985279050741698565
Rep. Pascrell statement: https://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pascrell-statement-on-the-american-airstrikes-in-syria
Malinowski tweet: https://twitter.com/Malinowski/status/984977075697274881