Congresswoman Lee: “We Cannot Continue to Underwrite an Ill-Defined & Dangerous Mission Against ISIL”
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the announcement that the Department of Defense will deploy more than 200 service members to support the fight to recapture Mosul from ISIL:
“Yesterday’s announcement that the U.S. will deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq to assist in the fight against ISIL is textbook mission creep. Instead of ending our counterproductive military engagement, we will be sending in Apache helicopters for the first time since the end of the Iraq war.
The best way to address the threat posed by ISIL is by holding a full debate in Congress and developing a comprehensive strategy to help stabilize the region.
We cannot continue to underwrite an ill-defined and dangerous mission against ISIL with little to no debate or authorization from Congress. The American people deserve a serious discussion about the costs and consequences of endless war.”
###
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.