We find ourselves at the perilous point of a nearly failed state of Iraq, accompanied by the virtually unchecked movement of one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations the world has ever known, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). I believe that ISIL presents a grave threat to our allies, our citizens, and our homeland. However, I remain concerned that the President’s current strategy is insufficient to meet the challenge of defeating ISIL. I support today’s bipartisan passage of an Amendment authorizing a “train-and-equip” approach because Congress added several provisions that will enhance Congressional oversight, require detailed progress reports, increase monitoring the use of equipment and demand information on how the authority fits within the President’s larger regional strategy. I also believe that over the next two months, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the American public would greatly benefit from the testimony of retired senior ranking military commanders who have personal experience fighting in Iraq and first-hand knowledge of strategies that have proven effective on Iraq’s battlefields. I have sent a letter to HASC Chairman Buck McKeon encouraging him to hold hearings with these battlefield commanders as their perspective would provide the United States and Coalition Forces the vital insight and expertise needed to pursue the right strategy and give our warfighters everything they need to achieve victory.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:42:51 +0000