September 10, 2014

Congresswoman Lee's Statement on President Obama's Strategy to Undermine ISIS

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lee released this statement following President Obama’s address to the nation regarding the Administration’s strategy to combat ISIS:

“Today, the President laid out his comprehensive strategy to “degrade and ultimately destroy” ISIS and his case for the expansion of military action in Iraq and Syria.

The Constitution requires Congress to vote on the use of military force. This is not about this President. This is about any President and any Congress.

We must re-establish the checks and balances laid out by the Constitution.

The facts are clear. We are no longer talking about limited strikes to prevent genocide and protect U.S. personnel. We are talking about sustained bombing and the use of military force.

The threat from ISIS is serious. But before we take any further military action, Congress must debate the threats to our national security, the risks to American servicemen and women and the financial costs of waging another war in the Middle East.

As the President said “we are strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together,” that is why I believe the President’s plan requires a thoughtful debate and vote by Congress.”

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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 both the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the newly formed Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. She is the author of three bills to repeal the AUMFs: H.R. 198, H.R. 3852 and H.R. 4608.