Ted Budd: “Just last week, Egypt experienced the worst terror attack in its country's history. Islamic terrorists set off…”

“Just last week, Egypt experienced the worst terror attack in its country's history. Islamic terrorists set off explosives that took over 300 innocent lives and injured over 100 more. What made this tragedy even worse is that it happened at a place of worship in the northern Sinai region. In their effort to wreak havoc on the Middle East and other parts of the world, the Islamic State and other terror groups have targeted Christians, Jews, and Muslims. President Trump was right to say, after the attack in Egypt, that we should strengthen our efforts to defeat terrorism and extremism in all of its forms. In the past year, we have made progress in deterring the Islamic State's so-called caliphate in Syria and in Iraq, and while their shadow in those two countries isn't nearly what it was a couple of years ago, this doesn't mean a radical Islamic insurgency won't remain in that area. Mr. Speaker, if military progress isn't coupled with a thought-out strategy of reconstruction, a vacuum will be left for these groups to return. As the beacon of freedom around the world, the United States must stay vigilant in our ongoing war on terror. ____________________”