Political Quotes

“I want to thank the chairman for yielding and for his continued leadership on this issue of grave importance to our Nation. I support the chairman's amendment because I believe we must do everything we can to defeat this vile enemy known as ISIL. Time is of the essence here. With each passing day, ISIL continues to get stronger. The President has finally asked for a very limited authorization, not of force, but for training and supplying. Based upon the information that I have received, I believe that arming and training Syrian rebels is an important first step. Just a few weeks ago, I joined Chairman McKeon and a few other colleagues on a trip to the Middle East. While there, we met with numerous foreign leaders and defense officials. One thing became very clear: there is regional interest and support for defeating ISIL, but they are waiting on our leadership. I believe arming and training the Syrian rebels to be a necessary step, but I do not believe it alone will be sufficient. Just this morning, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, expressed more action will likely be needed. Our enemy should not just be degraded or contained. Our enemy must be defeated. {time} 1615 In order to accomplish that objective, more action will be needed, including overt help from Sunni Muslims in the region and air attacks from the United States. It is also important to note the safeguards Chairman McKeon has written into this amendment.…”