February 10, 2015

Congresswoman Lee & Congressman Honda Introduce Legislation to Advance a Comprehensive ISIL Strategy

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Honda introduced legislation to ensure a comprehensive strategy to ultimately degrade and dismantle ISIL.

“We can all agree that ISIL and their actions are horrific and barbaric,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As we work to degrade and dismantle ISIL, we must be comprehensive in our strategy. National security experts have clearly stated that there is no military solution to ISIL. In order to ultimately degrade and dismantle ISIL, we must craft a robust regionally-led, political, economic and diplomatic strategy.”

“There is no denying the brutality of ISIL, or the threat they pose to people in the region, and around the world. However, military strength alone will not defeat extremism.  The only lasting solution is a comprehensive solution that addresses the political and economic concerns of the region. One in which the rights of all religious and cultural groups are respected,” said Congressman Honda. “The U.S. must focus on building partnerships in the region, and around the world, to emphasize diplomatic, political, and economic solutions to work towards a lasting, inclusive future away from violent extremism.” 

The bill requires the President to submit to Congress a “comprehensive diplomatic, political, economic and regionally-led strategy to degrade and dismantle” ISIL within 90 days of enactment.

“The legislation advances a comprehensive strategy that is regionally-led and incorporates critical political, economic and diplomatic components. It would be a tremendous error for our Congress to finally debate a long overdue authorization for the ongoing war against ISIL and neglect the important non-military options that comprise a comprehensive solution,” noted Congresswoman Lee. “While this legislation prevents the deployment of U.S. ground troops, it does not close the door for military action. Congress will have to debate and vote on any authorization for the use of force. Any comprehensive strategy must address the underlying political, economic and diplomatic elements that have contributed to ISIL.”

This bill recognizes that ISIL is a multi-dimensional problem that requires a multi-dimensional solution.

“In working to address ISIL, we cannot forget the current polarized political environment that exacerbates sectarian and ethnic tensions and gives rise to militant groups like ISIL. A comprehensive political solution must be a key component of our ISIL strategy,” added Congresswoman Lee. “Likewise, ISIL generates millions in oil revenue.  As we seek to address ISIL, our strategy must address the organization’s financial structure and revenue stream.”

In addition to requiring the development of a comprehensive solution, the bill re-establishes Congress’s Constitutionally-mandate role in war making.

“For too long, Congress has abdicated its role in matters of war and peace,” added Congresswoman Lee.

“For nearly 6 months, Congress has rubber-stamped America’s involvement against ISIL. In those 6 months, we have dropped over 5,000 bombs and killed over 6,000 soldiers, terrorists, and civilians.  It’s time for Congress to have an informed, robust discussion and debate about the US role in combating and defeating ISIL and other extremists in Syria and Iraq before mission creep takes us even further into full military engagement in the Middle East. That’s why I am proud to introduce this bill with Congresswoman Lee,” added Congressman Honda.

This legislation has won the support of several advocacy groups including Win Without War, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and Just Foreign Policy.

“Far too often the conversation in Washington is only about whether to bomb more or less, not about actually solving the underlying crisis in Iraq and Syria that everyone agrees ultimately has no military solution. We should all be thankful that Rep. Barbara Lee has once again shown leadership by working to identify and pursue a true path towards peace. Rep. Lee has long been the conscious of the House, since her lone vote in 2001 against what has become a nearly endless, global war, and has earned the respect to be listened to on these important issues,” said Stephen Miles, Win Without War.

“We are encouraged that a Member of Congress has stepped forward to boldly state that our endless war is not working. As the only Member who voted against the AUMF in 2001, Rep. Lee’s leadership in now proposing a repeal of that blank check for war is offering instead the political and diplomatic solutions to the crises our failed policies helped create,” said Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL.)

“We welcome her efforts to push for a ‘comprehensive diplomatic, political, economic, and regionally-led strategy,’ working through the UN and with regional partners; and her efforts to ensure full implementation of UN resolutions calling for UN member states to act to stop the flow of foreign fighters and foreign financing to support ISIL,” said Robert Naiman, Policy Director of Just Foreign Policy.

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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.