In The News
KVUE: Texas lawmakers react to Obama's plan for ISIS threat
Washington,
September 10, 2014
Texas lawmakers react to Obama's plan for ISIS threat KVUE9:32 p.m. CDT September 10, 2014 AUSTIN -- After President Barack Obama announced his plan to combat ISIS/ISIL on Wednesday night, Texas lawmakers voiced their opinions on the announcement. Republican Congressman Lamar Smith released the following statement: "This week, we mark the thirteenth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on the U.S. in American history. America will never forget the thousands who lost their lives and loved ones on that day in 2001. I will never forget that morning when a plane struck the Pentagon as I was driving by on my way to work. Those cowardly attacks forever changed our nation. The September 11, 2012 attacks in Benghazi took the lives of a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans, reminding us that threats still remain. And in recent weeks we find ourselves dealing with yet another terrorist group in the Middle East that threatens the safety and security of our nation. The forces now moving across Syria and Iraq have no regard for human life or the rule of law. The brutal beheadings of two American journalists shows just what these terrorists are capable of. We must be wise as we decide what actions to take. But we must take this threat seriously, and we must defeat the terrorists who call themselves the Islamic State. It is clear that the president has greatly underestimated ISIS, just as he underestimated that terrorist groups would be emboldened by the accelerated removal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Tonight he presented his plan for dealing with ISIS to the American people. I agree with him that we should form a broad coalition to root out, not simply 'roll back', these forces. And once we have set in motion a plan, we must stay the course. We have heard strong words before, but words alone are not enough. Over the next few days I will consult with colleagues in Congress - and my constituents – as we consider the president's request for additional authorities. Americans remember where they were thirteen years ago when terrorists attacked our homeland and tried to break our country's spirit. Once more, we must unite to stand against forces of evil in the world that would do harm to our nation and to our people." U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement: "Tonight's presidential address to the nation is a key moment in our continued fight against the terrorism that came to our shores thirteen years ago tomorrow. The Islamist jihad waged against the west by the group calling themselves ISIL is as much of a threat to our nation as Osama bin Laden was. They continue to recruit and train citizens around the globe to their warped ideology and if we don't confront this evil now, it is only a matter of time until they conduct an attack in the west or on our shores. This fight is not over or diminished, and it is time to take the fight seriously. The past few years, the president and his administration have not wanted to face the reality of the growing threat in Syria. As we watched events unfold there and in Iraq, the president remained unconvinced of the urgency to deal with ISIL. Tonight the president seemed to have faced reality. As the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have a responsibility to help ensure our security and intelligence measures are ready to detect and prevent another 9/11 attack. I intend to work closely with my fellow members of Congress and the administration to protect our citizens and our way of life." Congressman Henry Cuellar released the following statement: "Tonight, the President announced that the United States will lead a broad coalition of our allies to defeat ISIL and deny them safe haven. Now is the time to rally behind the men and women of our armed forces and it is not a time to play politics. Confronting the threat of ISIL requires national unity and I urge the President and my colleagues in Congress to act swiftly and decisively on this plan to defeat ISIL. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of the two Americans who were brutally murdered by ISIL."
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