Calls are being sounded in the United States for charges to be filed against U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her trip to Syria last week - in which she is said to have violated the Logan Act, which prohibits members of Congress from meeting with representatives of enemy states without permission from the Executive Branch. If Pelosi were to be charged and convicted under the Logan Act, which is a felony, she could be imprisoned for up to 10 years.
Pelosi has been roundly criticized by Republicans, including U.S. President George W. Bush, for meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad last week in Damascus. Bush told reporters in Washington that Pelosi's trip could undermine U.S. foreign policy. He also reiterated charges that Syria was facilitating the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq and failing to rein in Hamas and Hizbullah.
Pelosi said that the trip was not intended to give aid and comfort to Assad or to terrorists. "We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace," she said, commenting on the criticism.
Pelosi has been roundly criticized by Republicans, including U.S. President George W. Bush, for meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad last week in Damascus. Bush told reporters in Washington that Pelosi's trip could undermine U.S. foreign policy. He also reiterated charges that Syria was facilitating the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq and failing to rein in Hamas and Hizbullah.
Pelosi said that the trip was not intended to give aid and comfort to Assad or to terrorists. "We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace," she said, commenting on the criticism.