Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., responded to reports that the Obama administration is considering military action in Syria by saying “the war in Syria has no clear national security connection to the United States.”

Paul made the statement in a press release e-mailed to reporters Wednesday, following reports that an attack on Syria could begin as early as Thursday and would last about three days.

“The United States should condemn the use of chemical weapons,” Paul said. “We should ascertain who used the weapons and we should have an open debate in Congress over whether the situation warrants U.S. involvement. The Constitution grants the power to declare war to Congress not the President.

“The war in Syria has no clear national security connection to the United States and victory by either side will not necessarily bring in to power people friendly to the United States,” Paul said.