ISIL has to be attacked in Syria because the sanctuary, the base of operations, base of training is on the Syrian side of that border.

This isn't just our fight.

A chief concern of ours is the proliferation of terrorist safe havens around the world.

I support this resolution and I would like to yield to the principal sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Faleomavaega, for the purpose of making an opening statement.

We look forward to your testimony here today, surveying the threat landscape and elaborating on how we are countering those set against us and our interests.

It should never have taken the beheading of two Americans for our Government to wake up the American people to this menace.

Mr. Chairman, let me just say you have taken an outsized role in providing leadership in the Congress in having the hearings on this very important outbreak.

This group does not represent a legitimate state, but it is, rather, a cabal of butchers peddling a violent and perverted brand of Islam.

The threat of ISA to the American homeland is much--it is more existential than we are willing to acknowledge.

During this administration, no less than three extremist sanctuaries have emerged or expanded--in Syria, Iraq, and Libya.

We might see terrorists reclaiming the territory from which they planned 9/11.

Congress has made it clear, on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, that we value the planetary science community and the important work they do.