WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement tonight after President Barack Obama said a proposal to put Syria’s chemical weapons under international control could be a potential breakthrough and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) postponed action on a resolution in support of U.S. military strikes against Syria:

“At a time when the vast majority of the American people and many members of Congress are extremely skeptical about the wisdom of U.S. military intervention in Syria’s bloody and complicated civil war, I appreciate that the majority leader delayed a vote and that President Obama is prepared to work with Russia to have Syria turn over control of its chemical weapons to international monitors.

“Most Americans would support an effort that could remove chemical weapons from Syria without American military involvement in another Middle East war. I urge the president and Russia to work vigorously to achieve that goal.”