Congressional reaction to Obama’s speech

The Associated Press

Congressional Republicans and Democrats reacted Wednesday night to President Barack Obama’s expanded campaign of military airstrikes and support for partner forces to combat the Islamic State militant group:

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The president “has finally begun to make the case the nation has needed him to make for quite some time: that destroying this terrorist threat requires decisive action and must be the highest priority for the United States and other nations of the free world. A speech is not the same thing as a strategy, however. While the president presented a compelling case for action, many questions remain about the way in which the president intends to act.” — House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

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“Working with a broad coalition of partners and without using U.S. combat forces on the ground, we will lead a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy to dismantle the threat ISIS poses to the region and the United States.” — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

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“Tonight the president laid out a strong and decisive strategy to destroy ISIS without repeating the mistakes of the past in the Middle East.” — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

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The Islamic State group “is not confined to historically recognized borders and any strategy to defeat ISIL must recognize that reality. That is why I support the administration’s request to support moderate Syrian fighters. If we are to be successful in Syria as well as Iraq, we must have a capable partner on the ground.” — Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

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“I support the president taking military action in Iraq and Syria to combat this organization. I also support his request for additional authority to support the moderate, vetted Syrian opposition. But more must be done.” — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

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“The president’s strategy calls for a broad coalition to support Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds and religious minorities as they come together to fight a common enemy. … I support the president’s strategy, and I believe a large majority of Congress and the American people will as well.” — Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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“Tonight President Obama made a strong case for the need to degrade and destroy ISIL. … I support the president’s goal and believe he will receive broad support from the American people. I disagree with the president’s assertion that he has all necessary legal authority to wage an offensive war against ISIL without congressional approval.” — Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

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“As we pursue action, we must make sure we thoroughly vet our Syrian allies and ensure our intelligence and information sharing efforts with our international coalition partners are robust and reciprocated.” — Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee.

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“After calling on the president to take additional actions against ISIL, I am encouraged by his statement this evening and his willingness to take strong action to defeat ISIL. Tonight, the president has announced the United States’ willingness to lead a coalition to destroy ISIL, and I support these efforts.” — Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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“The president is to be commended for his decision to take action against ISIL targets, wherever they are, including Syria.” — Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

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“The American people must be assured that we are not pursuing another open-ended conflict in the Middle East, and I will not give this president — or any other president — a blank check to begin another land war in Iraq.” — Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees who is facing a tough re-election.

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“It is my view that the president possesses existing authorities to strike ISIL in the short term, but that a prolonged military campaign will require a congressionally approved Authorization for Use of Military Force.” — Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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“‘No boots on the ground’ sounds odd when 1,100 U.S. troops have been sent back to Iraq. And more will be necessary. Specifically, additional U.S. special forces and advisers are needed to direct precision air strikes, advise foreign partners on the ground and possibly conduct targeted operations against ISIS leadership.” — Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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