WASSERMAN SCHULTZ STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S STRATEGY TO DEGRADE AND DEFEAT ISIS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today related to President Obama’s announcement of a strategy to confront the threats posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS):

“After hearing the President’s speech, receiving a briefing by the White House, and participating in a classified briefing that further detailed the ISIS threat and the Administration’s efforts to confront it, I support the President’s strategy. I am firmly convinced we must take decisive and quick action to thwart ISIS’ brutality and barbarism.

“Our mission here cannot and should not be the sole responsibility of the United States of America. At this moment, Secretary Kerry is in the region helping cement a coalition of actors, most importantly the newly formed Iraqi government, Kurdish soldiers, and our European and Arab partners. I am confident based on the President’s remarks and the information I now have that we will work in tandem with these partners as part of a coalition.

“The support our brave soldiers have already provided includes targeted airstrikes, strategic advice and intelligence, and humanitarian relief, resulting in the retaking of key facilities and infrastructure and the protection of thousands of innocent civilian lives. We must now bolster these efforts.

“Additionally, I support the President’s request to train and equip the organized Syrian opposition. The President is not making this request lightly; this comes after years of working with many of these moderate opposition leaders, and in the face of a truly brutal threat that has killed American citizens. We should provide the President the authority and flexibility to support this effort.

“While we are a war-weary nation, we close ranks to stand together when Americans are threatened by dangerous enemies. Working together with our international partners within the framework of the President’s strategy, I am confident we will degrade, defeat and destroy ISIS.”