September 24, 2014 Dear Mr. Hedges, Thank you for contacting me regarding U.S. military actions against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). I appreciate hearing your thoughtful views on this very important issue. On September 10, I watched as President Obama addressed the nation and outlined the nations strategy. The recent beheadings of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as the massacres and forced conversions of religious minorities, demonstrate that ISIS is an astonishingly brutal group that has falsely portrayed itself as a religious movement. Since August, U.S. aircraft have been flying sorties in Iraq to protect American personnel and religious minorities threatened by ISIS. As part of the expanded strategy, the President requested that Congress grant him the authority to train and equip vetted members of the Syrian opposition to serve as partners on the ground in a campaign targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The most difficult and heart-wrenching votes I have considered during my time in Congress are those relating to missions of our Armed Forces abroad. When those votes involve the Middle East—a complicated and volatile region—it is Congresss responsibility to weigh these decisions very carefully. I attended several briefings which gave me the opportunity to evaluate the Presidents plan in greater detail, and carefully reviewed the many comments I received from constituents in the 10th District. I carefully scrutinized the specific legislative language we were asked to vote on. There were several principles that had to be included for me to consider the legislation. First, it must include tight restrictions on the program as well as strict requirements for rigorous Congressional oversight. Second, the authorization cannot be open-ended. Third, any escalation of the program must require approval by Congress. After thoughtful consideration, I ultimately decided to support the President, as the bill we voted on included the measured and deliberate restrictions I outlined above, including an end date for operations of December 11, 2014. This strict framework, which mandates frequent reporting to Congress and the American people, will ensure Congress has the opportunity to re-evaluate the program during the next few months and then decide the best course forward. Ultimately, I believe the Presidents strategy is driven by a desire to protect Americans and our allies, and he understands our military efforts must also be matched by robust political and humanitarian engagement. I am hopeful the formation of a new Iraqi government, which has the opportunity to govern in a more inclusive manner, will mark a turning point in efforts to address the fundamental issues which have amplified tensions in the Middle East, including sectarian divisions, unstable governments, and lack of economic opportunity. In addition, I am encouraged that many Arab states and U.S. allies around the world have pledged their support in eradicating ISIS. The United States cannot – and will not - resolve this conflict on its own; it is important for countries in the region to play a leading role. There are no easy answers to the turmoil which has engulfed the Middle East. I will monitor further developments in the region closely, and I hope you will continue to share your thoughts as Congress continues to debate this difficult and complicated issue. Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope you will contact me again regarding this or any other issue in the future. Sincerely, Denny Heck Member of Congress
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:35:08 +0000
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