Political Quotes

“As I begin, I was grateful to support the prior amendment that we just had by President Gerry Connolly and also Congressman Steve Chabot, but I oppose this particular amendment. U.S. troops are in Syria to fight ISIS. They were sent by President Barack Obama pursuant to the 2001 counterterrorism AUMF. The global war on terrorism is not over. It is moving, as we have sadly seen, the terrorist attack last week in New Zealand and as we see the terrorists who are coming across the southern border into the United States. For years we have worked with our partners on the ground to eliminate the caliphate. We must not leave them behind as they have been brave patriots and could be subject to murderous terrorists. This mission has been incredibly successful. However, the job is not done. The threat of ISIS against American families and our allies remains. The nations that have faced the most cross-border attacks are India with 60,000 deaths; Israel with--just this year, in the past couple of months--12,000 Iranian rockets by an attack by Hamas from Gaza; and, of course, in America 3,000 persons murdered on 9/11. Our continued presence on the ground is necessary to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and protecting American families by defeating terrorists overseas. This shortsighted amendment would prematurely cut short our presence in Syria. Our small force in Syria is incredibly effective and part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS.…”