Isakson Calls for Stronger Commitment to Defeat ISIL

Wednesday the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held an important hearing on Iraq.  We've covered it in the Wednesday and Thursday snapshots and will cover it in the next one.  But for now we'll note this from the office of the  Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Senator Johnny Isakson:

  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Amanda Maddox, 202-224-7777
Wednesday, March 11, 2015	Marie Gordon, 770-661-0999

Isakson Calls for Stronger Commitment to Defeat ISIL

‘Unequivocal commitment to see this to the end’

 

Click here to view the video online.

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today highlighted the critical need for Congress to provide unequivocal authority for the use of military force to allow the president and our military to degrade and destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, or ISIL, and its affiliates.

 

At a Senate hearing on the president’s proposed authorization for use of military force against ISIL, Isakson called on top defense officials to use swift and decisive action to send a bold message to all terrorist groups and our allies that the United States will not equivocate when it comes to protecting our homeland.

 

“We know that ISIL is … a growing regional threat,” said Isakson. “We all agree that the need to come together as Congress is important. We have a united commitment as a country to fight and defeat ISIL.”

 

Isakson also raised concern over the president’s proposed time limitation, or three-year “sunset” provision, on U.S. military engagement that was included in the authorization sent to Congress last month.

 

“Wouldn't we be better off sending a clear signal that there is no end to this conflict as far as we are concerned until we win the victory?” Isakson asked.

 

“The unequivocal commitment to see this conflict to the end is an important message to be sent,” Isakson continued.

 

Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified at today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on President Obama’s request for authorization of use for military force against ISIL.

 

Isakson has repeatedly called for strong military action against ISIL since the beheading of American journalist James Foley in August 2014.

 

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	AMANDA MADDOX
	Press Secretary
	OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON
	131 Russell Senate Office Building | Washington, DC 20510
	phone: 202.224.3643 | fax: 202.228.0724

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