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Here's How Vulnerable Senate Democrats Reacted To Obama's ISIS Plan

Here's How Vulnerable Senate Democrats Reacted To Obama's ISIS Plan
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Staff Reporter, The Huffington Post

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WASHINGTON -- Reactions from Democrats running for the U.S. Senate ranged from apprehension to full-throated encouragement after President Barack Obama's Wednesday speech outlining his strategy to combat Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, though some candidates haven't yet announced an opinion.

In an address from the White House, the president said he would ramp up airstrikes against militants "wherever they are," and said he hoped Congress would give him additional aide for the operations, even though he already had the authority to do so.

"I believe we are strongest as a nation when the president and Congress work together," Obama said, "so I welcome congressional support for this effort in order to show the world that Americans are united in confronting this danger."

Supporting an expanded military campaign against the Islamic State, the militant group also known as ISIS or ISIL, is a politically delicate issue for vulnerable Democrats, as buttressing further action risks alienating the kinds of voters who soured on the Iraq War. However, a Monday CNN/ORC International poll found that 7 in 10 Americans believe the Islamic State has the resources to launch an attack against the United States, a sign that voters are concerned the group poses a serious threat.

Sixty-one percent of the poll's respondents opposed placing U.S. soldiers on the ground to combat the terrorist group, and most of the Democratic candidates up for re-election strongly condemned sending in ground troops in any way.

Of the Senate Democratic incumbents engaged in close races, Sens. Mark Udall (Colo.) and Mark Begich (Alaska) were the only ones critical of the president's plan. Sens. Al Franken (Minn.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Mark Pryor (Ark.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) were largely supportive of the proposals.

“I oppose the president’s plan to arm Syrian rebels at this time,” Begich said. “I am gravely concerned by reports of ISIS seizing and utilizing U.S. weapons intended for those fighting against the Syrian regime, and we must have greater assurance that we aren’t arming extremists who will eventually use the weapons against us.”

“With more veterans per capita than any other state and many who have already served multiple deployments, I do not believe we should be asking our troops to put their lives at risk yet again when we don’t have all the necessary answers," he added.

Udall said he would "demand that the administration provide a very clear picture of its goals and objectives," adding that though he supported an international effort with targeted airstrikes, history shows that American ground troops are incapable of eliminating "an extreme ideology."

"I believe any expanded U.S. military role beyond airstrikes in the fight against ISIL in Iraq must be approved by Congress," he said. "The American people must be assured that we are not pursuing another open-ended conflict in the Middle East, and I will not give this president -- or any other president -- a blank check to begin another land war in Iraq."

Hagan said she had been encouraging the Obama administration to give additional support to the moderate Syrian rebels "as long ago as the spring of last year."

"We must respond, and we will respond, by taking immediate, sustained and decisive action to destroy ISIS," she said. "The president and our military leadership have now developed a plan to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels and defeat ISIS with a sustained campaign of airstrikes."

Shaheen has also called "for a serious, comprehensive strategy to destroy ISIS."

“Outlining a strategy tonight was a start," Shaheen said. "In hearings next week, I intend to question administration officials on their plans to implement this strategy to confront the full scale of the terrorism challenge we face, particularly in Syria."

Franken, Landrieu and Pryor offered statements that made arguments along the same lines.

Some candidates hoping to win election to the Senate have also announced support for the president's plan. West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, who's running for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, issued a statement that championed "aggressive action to dismantle ISIS without committing American combat troops on the ground" while also recognizing that "none of us wants to see more money and military resources devoted to fighting battles overseas, especially with challenges we face here at home."

"But that doesn’t mean a blank check, which is why I also believe it’s critical that Congress step up, take the tough votes, and be part of the decision-making process, to ensure America is united in our strategy and proper checks and balances are in place," she continued. “I have not seen the intelligence, and there is no doubt there are serious questions about the consequences of arming rebels in such an unstable part of the world, which is again why Congressional oversight is so important."

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, who is attempting to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), expressed support for the president's proposals while also criticizing him for waiting until Wednesday to explicitly define them.

"While the President should have offered the American people a credible plan to destroy ISIS much earlier, I am supportive of taking strong military action to hunt down the terrorists that have killed American journalists," she said in a statement. "However, I remain opposed to the use of American ground forces. We must work to build a broad coalition, that includes our allies in the region, to provide ground support and share responsibility and cost for defeating ISIS."

Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who is running for U.S. Senate, issued a statement Thursday in support of Obama's strategy.

"All airstrikes and other counterterrorism efforts directed towards ISIS must be done in consultation with Congress and in conjunction with a coalition of European and Arab nations," Peters said. "As a former officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I take very seriously any action that involves our men and women in uniform, and I remain opposed to the use of U.S. combat ground troops. This proposal offers a strategic approach to destroy the ISIS terrorists without American combat ground troops."

Democrats in other open-seat races, such as nonprofit executive Michelle Nunn in Georgia and Rep. Bruce Braley (Iowa), did not respond to requests for comment.

This post has been updated with a statement from Rep. Gary Peters.

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Before You Go

Politicians On Obama's ISIS Speech
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)(01 of28)
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“The president tonight recanted his earlier dismissals of ISIL’s capabilities and rightly acknowledged the grave and growing threat posed by the spreading global epidemic of radicalized Islam. He has finally begun to make the case the nation has needed him to make for quite some time: that destroying this terrorist threat requires decisive action and must be the highest priority for the United States and other nations of the free world.A speech is not the same thing as a strategy, however. While the president presented a compelling case for action, many questions remain about the way in which the president intends to act. For example, I support the president’s plan to train and equip the Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition, but I remain concerned that those measures could take years to fully implement at a time when ISIL’s momentum and territorial gains need to be immediately halted and reversed. It is also a cause for concern that the president appears to view the effort against ISIL as an isolated counterterrorism campaign, rather than as what it must be: an all-out effort to destroy an enemy that has declared a holy war against America and the principles for which we stand.“The administration has made an effort in recent days to brief members of the House and Senate on the range of options the president is contemplating. Those briefings and consultations will continue as members review his proposals, and I hope we can continue a dialogue about how to most effectively confront and destroy this enemy. House Republicans will meet tomorrow morning to discuss next steps.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)(02 of28)
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“Tonight the President laid out a strong and decisive strategy to destroy ISIS without repeating the mistakes of the past in the Middle East. This strategy deserves broad support and I hope Democrats and Republicans will come together to speak with one voice and tell the terrorists: you cannot hide. You have committed horrific acts that threaten the security of the United States and our allies, and we will find you and destroy you.“The United States already knows how to degrade and destroy terrorist organizations, as President Obama proved when he took out Osama bin Laden and decimated al-Qaeda's leadership. Tonight, President Obama made clear that his strategy to destroy ISIS will also be smart, effective and targeted. We will not rush into another ground war in the Middle East and we will not go it alone. Instead, America will lead a coalition that includes our friends and allies in European and Arab nations in a targeted, strategic mission to destroy ISIS. American air strikes will be supported by local forces who will fight for their own countries. The President made it clear that the people of Iraq, Syria, and the region, must stand up to protect their homes and families against these cruel killers."The administration has consulted with Congress and I expect that cooperation to continue. Senators will be briefed on the situation tomorrow, hearings will proceed next week, and I expect continued consultations between Congress and the administration as events unfold. The one element of the strategy outlined by the President tonight that requires immediate Congressional action is granting his administration the authority to equip and train Syrian troops to fight ISIS. I believe that Republicans and Democrats in Congress will come together in the week ahead in a strong show of support to grant the President this critical authority."I also want to thank those men and women of our armed forces, the intelligence community, and our diplomatic corps who will be at the forefront of our fight to stop this horrific terrorist organization. They put their lives on the line every single day to protect us, and we owe them our everlasting gratitude." (credit:(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images))
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)(03 of28)
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“Tonight, the American people heard the President present a concrete and forceful strategy to degrade and destroy ISIS.I commend the President for his persistent, strong leadership in establishing a government of reconciliation in Iraq, and in his diplomatic efforts to have coordination among of our NATO allies and regional powers. Working with a broad coalition of partners and without using U.S. combat forces on the ground, we will lead a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy to dismantle the threat ISIS poses to the region and the United States.I appreciate the ongoing consultations from the Administration and the President’s efforts to secure strong Congressional support in the fight against ISIS." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)(04 of28)
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“I fully support President Obama’s decision to utilize his authority to begin a counterterrorism effort against the terrorist army ISIL. I applaud him for recognizing the seriousness of the threat and for going on the offense against this threat.As the president said, the United States will lead a coalition of nations against ISIL to include Gulf states and other countries throughout the Middle East, Europe and around the world.Now that a strategy has been outlined, it is critical that Congress and the American people come together in solidarity to support the president and our armed forces. On such an important matter of national security, we must show ISIL we have the political will, the military might and the strength of a united country.In my 14 years on the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have not seen a terrorist organization with the brutality and capabilities of ISIL. The group already occupies large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria and poses a direct threat to the entire Middle East. ISIL has also repeatedly expressed its intent to attack the United States, most recently during the beheadings of two American journalists.Anyone with a sense of humanity cannot be passive in the face of this organization. It has killed, tortured and kidnapped thousands, beheaded children, raped women, crucified those it considers apostates and aspires to commit widespread genocide.ISIL is pure evil, and the time has come to end its reign of terror." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)(05 of28)
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“I think it was a very weak argument." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)(06 of28)
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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called the speech "the most explicitly pro-American speech" President Barack Obama has ever given. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)(07 of28)
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"I commend the President for clearly presenting to the American people his strategy for leading a multinational force to confront this barbaric terrorist organization known as ISIL. I am heartened that the President is building a strong coalition of partner nations to join us in this fight, and that we will count on Iraqi and other ground forces which will confront ISIL with our direction, equipment and air support. There are still questions to be answered in the days ahead as Congress reviews the President's strategy and considers its Constitutional responsibility when our nation faces this type of military decision. But make no mistake. When we send our servicemen and women in harm's way, they deserve the undivided, bipartisan support of Congress and the American people." (credit:(Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images))
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.)(08 of28)
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“The President is to be commended for his decision to take action against ISIL targets, wherever they are, including Syria. “Much of ISIL’s leadership, command and control, and safe haven are inside Syria. As many of us have stated for months, ISIL cannot be defeated without taking action in both Iraq and Syria. “Of course, a Commander in Chief’s decision to take military action is among the most difficult. This threat has been growing for three years, and I have no doubt that the United States is less safe today than at any time since 9/11. ISIL is only one of several Islamic extremist threats against America. “We need a comprehensive strategy to defeat the terrorist ecosystem that is growing from Africa to the Middle East and into South Asia. “The President’s plan announced this evening is an encouraging step in the right direction. Success will depend on the details of its implementation. I will work with my colleagues and the Administration to make sure it is implemented in a manner that ensures U.S. success.” (credit:(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images))
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.)(09 of28)
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“This terrorist group – born of al-Qaeda but more sophisticated – presents a grave threat to the United States and our allies. While it’s hard to understand how anyone is attracted to its barbaric ideology, some are, including Americans, raising the threat. Having beheaded two Americans, this vicious group needs to be rooted out, both in Iraq and Syria. It is right to target ISIS from the air, while local Arab and Kurdish forces are trained and armed to battle on the ground, but Syria can’t be a sanctuary from U.S. and allied air strikes. Air strikes and local training and equipping are the right tools, as U.S. infantry shouldn’t be sent into this fight. Tonight was a start, but it remains to be seen whether the Administration, after much delay and denial, develops and executes the sustained commitment needed to destroy ISIS by building a powerful coalition against these brutal jihadists.” (credit:(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Via Getty Images))
Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)(10 of28)
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“I support President Obama’s decision to expand the current airstrike campaign into Syria, and to work with an international coalition to degrade ISIL and reduce the threat they pose to that region and our interests. I also support the President’s request that Congress provide resources to arm and train moderate Syrian forces. However, I remain strongly opposed to the use of any combat troops on the ground in Syria and Iraq.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.)(11 of28)
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“ISIL poses an existential threat to our allies in the region and, if left unchecked, it will become a direct threat to the United States. These cowards have already killed two unarmed American journalists and thousands of innocent Muslims. Their allegiance is to a perverted vision of Islam that justifies the killing of innocent people and this threat must be confronted in a holistic and forceful way. Tonight, the President laid out an aggressive and appropriate course of action to address the threat posed by ISIL.This is a fight against violent extremists – it is not a conflict between Sunnis, Shiites and the West - and any action against ISIL must be supported by a broad coalition of nations, which the President is aggressively pulling together. The Sunni countries in the region must play a key role in confronting this Sunni extremist group.Any military action must also be complimented by a political strategy that leads to the inclusion of marginalized Sunni populations in Iraq. ISIL is primarily comprised of Sunni extremists, but it does not represent the beliefs and aspirations of the vast majority of the Sunni population. To undermine ISIL and achieve a lasting solution, the government in Iraq must include Sunnis. I applaud the Administration for continuing to make this a center piece or their strategy and I am encouraged by recent progress. Much more work remains to be done on this front. ISIL is not confined to historically recognized boarders and any strategy to defeat ISIL must recognize that reality. That is why I support the Administration’s request to support moderate Syrian fighters. If we are to be successful in Syria as well as Iraq, we must have a capable partner on the ground. At this point in time we do not have that partner and so we should be working to develop the capabilities of moderate elements within Syria.We must also be working to counter ISIL’s extremist message. This is not just a kinetic war – it is an ideological war. The distorted and manipulated version of Islam that groups like ISIL espouse must be countered and met with truth.This is an extraordinarily difficult and complex problem that requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. In our limited involvement thus far, the U.S. military has had success in helping our partners on the ground push back ISIL. In Erbil, our Kurdish partners have resisted ISIL’s offensives. They have also pushed back ISIL in Mosul. Last week, we saw the Iraqis fight off ISIL in Amerli with the support of US airpower. There is a formula for success and ISIL can be defeated. It is time for Americans to come together and support the President as he ramps up our efforts to defeat this menace." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)(12 of28)
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“As we approach the 13th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, President Obama clearly outlined his comprehensive strategy for dismantling, disabling and destroying the ISIS terrorist group, protecting our homeland, and ensuring the safety of Americans at home and abroad,” Cohen said. “The recent beheading of two American journalists by ISIS shocked the global conscience, and they are unacceptable. These and many other deplorable and inhumane acts deserve a swift response. If ISIS succeeds in creating its envisioned caliphate, it will pose a threat to freedom, democracy, tolerance, diversity, and the United States of America. I stand with the President in the fight against global terrorism, and I plan on supporting him as he works with a broad international coalition to eliminate ISIS through military, economic, and other means.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)(13 of28)
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"This group will be degraded and defeated, but it’s going to be a long-term deal. It’s going to be probably years. The United States is putting together the coalition that will go after them. The U.S. will probably put boots on the ground, but it will be more commando raids and forward air observers with others to do the actual strikes on the ground. But we have no choice. This is a vicious, diabolical group that must be stopped.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.)(14 of28)
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“The president tonight laid out a forceful strategy to safeguard our security and that of our allies by rolling back and eventually destroying a brutal extremist group. The president’s strategy calls for a broad coalition to support Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, and religious minorities as they come together to fight a common enemy. It does not call for American ground combat troops, which I believe are not only unnecessary, but could the effort by playing into the propaganda of the extremists. I support the president’s strategy, and I believe a large majority of Congress and the American people will as well.“There is now a broad consensus in Congress that this threat requires strong action, and tonight, the president laid out a plan to act, and to act forcefully. I hope that members of Congress will put politics aside and give strong, bipartisan support to this plan.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.)(15 of28)
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“ISIS presents a severe threat to our national security, and their murder of two American journalists is an attack on America and our values. We must respond, and we will respond, by taking immediate, sustained, and decisive action to destroy ISIS.The President and our military leadership have now developed a plan to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels and defeat ISIS with a sustained campaign of airstrikes. As long ago as the spring of last year, I pressed the Administration to arm and empower moderate Syrian rebels and I am glad that effort will be accelerated.Because ISIS poses a threat to many countries around the world, and especially those in the Middle East, I believe that this effort must be carried out in conjunction with our allies and other Arab states. America has urgent priorities at home as well as abroad, and the cost cannot be borne by the United States alone.Finally, I am proud to represent the most military friendly state in the nation. At times like these, our men and women in uniform deserve our full and unwavering support, and the American people should expect better than the same political games and partisan point-scoring that too often dominate Washington debates. This is the time for us to come together, Democrats and Republicans, to confront the challenges that are facing our nation. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to provide the support that our military requires and deserves." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus(16 of28)
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“Many of us have been deeply concerned by the way President Obama and his administration have handled our country’s foreign policy in the past few years. While Democrats in Congress sat by, the president continued to minimize the threat posed by ISIS and pursued a ‘wait and see’ foreign policy, putting our country at greater and greater risk as the threat continued to build.The extremists that comprise ISIS are guilty of the most gruesome violence, including the murder of American citizens. They are not, as the president suggested only months ago, the jayvee team or, as he said more recently, a problem that can be managed. The federal government has no more important mission than keeping Americans safe, and Americans have been waiting too long for a strategy to confront these barbaric terrorists. I take the president at his word that he now recognizes the threat that ISIS poses, and I hope the president will stay focused on destroying ISIS. We will continue to pray that our Commander-in-Chief makes the right decisions to keep our country and our men and women serving overseas safe.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)(17 of28)
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“The American people heard from the President tonight on the necessity for America to act to eliminate the threat ISIL poses to our country and our allies. The threat these terrorists pose to the United States and our allies cannot be tolerated, and I support the President taking military action in Iraq and Syria to combat this organization. I also support his request for additional authority to support the moderate, vetted Syrian opposition. But more must be done.We must recognize ISIL is but a symptom of a broader terrorist threat that has been ignored for too long by this Administration. Preventing the next 9-11 requires us to confront the reality that al Qaeda has metastasized, and that radical terrorists operating out of sanctuaries in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and elsewhere pose a growing threat to the United States must be destroyed.If our efforts to combat this scourge are to be successful, it will require a level of commitment to this fight against terrorism not yet seen by this President.Tomorrow, the Administration will brief Congress further on the President’s strategy, and Congress will do the vigorous oversight required in the days and months ahead to ensure that it is sufficient to meet this threat.A President who has made ending the war on terrorism the central focus of his foreign policy must now make winning it a priority. I stand ready to work with the President to destroy ISIL, win this fight, and ensure America’s continued safety.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)(18 of28)
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“The President's speech hit the nail right on the head. It showed a firm strength and resolve that will convince the world, our allies and ISIS that we mean business. He is choosing just the right weapons: air strikes in Iraq and Syria, surveillance, economic sanctions and coalition building, without boots on the ground, a similar strategy to that which enabled us to greatly degrade terrorists in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. I think the speech will be extremely well received in America and around the world.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.)(19 of28)
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“ISIL flourished after this Administration rushed away our assistance to Iraq, lost international credibility by not backing up its ‘red line’ in Syria, and deferred action to allies who had depended on us to lead. Now that our enemies have gained strength after we showed weakness, the President has concluded that we must again put men and women of our armed forces in harm’s way.We face a real threat and our nation needs to show leadership. If President Obama is finally ready to drop the wobbly rhetoric and lead a coalition, I am prepared to offer him the support he needs to put down the extremists who threaten us and have committed horrendous crimes against humanity. Several of my colleagues and I have put our support behind H.J. Resolution 123 which would require the President to present a strategic plan to Congress and replaces the old 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq and provides the President with a new short term authorization for the use of force to defeat ISIL. Rhetoric doesn’t win wars. if President Obama is now prepared to seek authorization for action against ISIL, I’m prepared to give it to him.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)(20 of28)
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"Tonight, the President showed what a real leader is-a President who understands the threats we face and that America must not face those threats alone."ISIS is a threat to the world and that is why I am so proud that President Obama has put together a broad-based coalition so that civilized nations can work together to degrade and defeat these terrorists."President Obama recognizes that in order to do this, we must remember the tragic mistakes of the past and conduct this operation without American combat boots on the ground. Instead, we will rely on trained and vetted forces in the region that have the most at stake from the ISIS threat."ISIS has already murdered two innocent Americans and has vowed that there will be more American bloodshed. These terrorists have threatened our embassies across the globe and said that 'every American citizen is a legitimate target.' They have also threatened our allies and all those who disagree with their demented ideology."There is no way the international community can stand by in the face of the beheading, crucifixion, and stoning of innocent men, women, and children by a terrorist group that numbers in the tens of thousands and has the finances to continue their campaign of carnage until they are stopped."Congress must stand behind the President in this effort by acting swiftly to provide funds so that the vetted Syrian rebels can take the fight to ISIS in Syria." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)(21 of28)
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“The threat from ISIL is legitimate and serious – and it is evident that protecting the United States and its interests from this dangerous organization should not be a partisan issue. While I appreciate the President for outlining a strategy for dismantling the organization, both Congress and the executive branch should understand the situation in Syria is complex, challenging, and fluid. As we pursue action, we must make sure we thoroughly vet our Syrian allies and ensure our intelligence and information sharing efforts with our international coalition partners are robust and reciprocated.” (credit:The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)(22 of28)
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“The president should present his plan to Congress and gain congressional support to destroy ISIS. This is a brutal and different kind of threat to civilization – the administration says it could take two or three years to stop ISIS, and it could take longer. Having the support of Congress is essential to uniting our country and other nations behind the president’s objective, and to making sure we have the resolve to see this through to the end.” (credit:Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.)(23 of28)
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"The Islamic State is a brutal terrorist group, and it must be stopped. We have a responsibility to continue to work with local groups and our allies in the region for as long as it takes, using strategic force to stop ISIS from continuing on its murderous path. But calls for more and more direct U.S. military intervention the Middle East put us back on a very risky course. I have serious concerns about the call to war that I hear from some of my colleagues. We cannot afford to rush to war again. New Mexicans are rightly skeptical of any move that would get us involved in another Middle East conflict, and I do not support sending ground troops or entangling us in long-running religious conflicts. The emergence of ISIS has a direct line to America's failed strategy in Iraq. We must learn from the mistakes we have made since9/11 — thousands of Americans gave their lives in two ground wars, which cost us billions of dollars, and left the Middle East less safe than when we arrived. I want to see the president come to Congress with a clearly defined strategy to combat the ISIS threat in Iraq and Syria with a priority on protecting our homeland. If he believes we need to use military force beyond counter-terrorism efforts against ISIS, he needs to make his case to Congress, and Congress should debate an authorization to use force." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas)(24 of28)
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“Tonight’s presidential address to the nation is a key moment in our continued fight against the terrorism that came to our shores thirteen years ago tomorrow. The Islamist jihad waged against the west by the group calling themselves ISIL is as much of a threat to our nation as Osama bin Laden was. They continue to recruit and train citizens around the globe to their warped ideology and if we don’t confront this evil now, it is only a matter of time until they conduct an attack in the west or on our shores.This fight is not over or diminished, and it is time to take the fight seriously. The past few years, the president and his administration have not wanted to face the reality of the growing threat in Syria. As we watched events unfold there and in Iraq, the president remained unconvinced of the urgency to deal with ISIL. Tonight the president seemed to have faced reality.As the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have a responsibility to help ensure our security and intelligence measures are ready to detect and prevent another 9/11 attack. I intend to work closely with my fellow members of Congress and the administration to protect our citizens and our way of life.” (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) (25 of28)
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“Tonight, President Obama laid out a clear and comprehensive counterterrorism strategy to degrade and destroy the terrorist group ISIL, which has murdered two American journalists along with thousands of innocent Iraqis and Syrians. Its effort to impose a draconian regime in the heart of the Middle East through violent means undermines regional stability and poses a threat to the region, including American personnel in the area, and, if left unanswered, a long-term threat to our homeland. Committing U.S. air power, training, and equipment is only one aspect of this strategy, albeit a critical one. Defeating ISIL will require a strong international coalition, which the United States is already assembling. It also demands an inclusive Iraqi government that works across sectarian lines to reach political agreement. I hope the new government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will work to achieve this goal.I look forward to continuing consultations with the Administration as we work to address this challenge, and I thank the members of our Armed Forces working to carry out this important mission.” (credit:Larry French via Getty Images)
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)(26 of28)
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"I remain adamantly opposed to returning American combat troops to battlegrounds in the Middle East, but I believe the President's counterterrorism strategy outlined tonight makes sense and stands in stark contrast to the previous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.ISIL has barbarically killed and tortured innocent civilians, including Americans. There currently does not exist a more extreme terrorist group than ISIL, and they are well funded, well armed, and have no intention of stopping until their goals are realized.Assembling an international coalition to destroy ISIL through air power and the training of partner forces is a pragmatic and powerful approach. I'm encouraged that President Obama has insisted on support from Arab allies and that Iraq form a more inclusive regime that is representative of all its people. These elements are critical to destroying ISIL and to ensuring the United States does not become entangled in another decade-long-war in the Middle East." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Congressional Progressive Caucus (27 of28)
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“Congress must weigh in when it comes to confronting ISIL through military action. The voices of the American people must be heard during a full and robust debate in Congress on the use of military force. Speaker Boehner should put legislation authorizing military action on the floor of the House of Representatives before Congress leaves for the upcoming district work period.” (credit:(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite))
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine)(28 of28)
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"I continue to fully support President Obama in his efforts to prevent genocide in the Middle East through humanitarian aid and his commitment to protecting U.S. personnel in the region. However I remain deeply skeptical about committing further U.S. military forces in the sectarian conflicts there and I believe a decision to confront ISIL through the use of force should be debated and voted on by Congress." (credit:(Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call/Via Getty Images))
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