CONGRESSMAN GREGORY W. MEEKS REACTS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SPEECH ON ISIL

CONGRESSMAN GREGORY W. MEEKS REACTS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SPEECH ON ISIL

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) released the following statement on President Obama's speech on ISIL:

Tonight, the President made an important speech about the security of our nation and the threat of international terrorism. In a clear and forthright manner he addressed the continuing threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), US interests at home and abroad, and our way forward. I support President Obama’s four-step plan to build upon our successes to diminish, degrade and destroy this unprecedented terrorist threat with limited and targeted military action. The President reiterated that this is a controlled anti-terrorism campaign that will be dramatically different from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Most important, our strategy includes a broad multinational coalition, multilateral partners but no American combat boots-on-the-ground. As this counter-terrorism campaign is carried out, it is imperative that the United States leverage all its resources, working with our allies and regional partners to permanently eliminate this transnational threat, and toward ultimately supporting an inclusive solution for the long-standing issues at play in the region.

I am committed to doing my part as a Member of Congress, and continuing to work in close consultation with the Administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to take appropriate and necessary congressional action in support of this plan to address the ISIL threat and related regional challenges.