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.

I am glad that he finally came around on the issue, listened to General Dempsey, the chairman of the joint chiefs, that basically told him that we cannot defeat ISIS unless we go into Syria.

I believe when the beheadings of the American journalists took place, it was a real wake-up call for the American people about the evil of ISIS or ISIL.

I think, in part, because it defies his narrative that he campaigned on that he was going to end these wars.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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