Mike Honda: “I thank the ranking member. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The threat of ISIL is beyond anything…”

“I thank the ranking member. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The threat of ISIL is beyond anything in the last 13 years since the horror of 9/11. We see there are no limits to gross brutality. They are a terrorist threat to the region, to the United States, and to our allies. This rushed amendment to arm and train vetted Syrian rebels is not the answer. This Chamber needs to have an informed, robust discussion and debate about the U.S. role in combating and dealing with ISIL and other extremists in Syria and Iraq. It is a debate that should take place on its own. This issue and this amendment should not be attached to the continuing resolution or any other matter before the House. This amendment authorizes the training and equipping of vetted Syrian opposition forces, but we still aren't clear on who these forces are and how these rebel groups will be chosen and vetted. How do we ensure that our weapons, training, and knowledge won't be used by ISIL or other terrorist organizations in the future? Additionally, this amendment only highlights a piece of the President's plan for addressing ISIL, a plan that includes significant long-term bombing campaigns and military escalation in Iraq and Syria. If the House leaves for the next 8 weeks without addressing the already expanding scope of U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria, I fear that we will return in November to find the U.S.…”