Garamendi on President’s Address and ISIS Threat

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama’s plan related to the terrorist organization ISIS:

“Yesterday, President Obama presented a strong case for a coordinated response to the brutal ISIS terrorist organization. The United States, working with Middle Eastern and European partners, can offer an effective response to ISIL through targeted air strikes, military advisers, and limited special operations. Coupled with the rise of a more inclusive Iraqi government, diplomatic coalition-building, and a comprehensive effort to cut off funds to ISIS, this is our best hope to prevent a lawless terrorist base of operations to flourish in Iraq and Syria.

“Left unchecked, the ideology, resources, and territorial control of the self-described Islamic State will continue to destabilize the Middle East, and as demonstrated by the horrific murder of two American journalists and threats presented during these filmed executions, they are prepared to export their terror campaign to the West. This is especially alarming given the number of European and American fighters who have joined ISIS’s cause. The ethnic cleansing campaign waged by ISIL against Yazidis, Christians, Turkmens, and Kurds is also abhorrent and largely preventable. While I am always reluctant to enter our nation into combat and have consistently cautioned against other interventions, I support this international mission, with smart diplomatic, financial, and military tools, to diminish and ultimately destroy the ISIL terrorist organization.