Rep. Mac Thornberry pressed top military leaders on the administration’s strategy to defeat the Islamic State on Tuesday morning, as the number of dead and wounded from the terrorist attack in Brussels continued to rise.
“The administration’s budget request asks for more money to use to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria. That is understandable,” Thornberry, R-Texas and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in his opening statement. “What is not understandable is that the law required the administration to provide a written document laying out its strategy to fight ISIS by Feb. 15, 2016. We have received nothing and there is no indication that any such strategy is on its way.”
He said that offering condolences to the families of those killed and condeming those who carried out the violence is warrented, but said officials must answer “what are we going to do about it” to prevent further attacks.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford testified before the committee Tuesday morning and Carter said delivery of the report to Congress was “imminent.” He briefly outlined the administration’s current strategy, including a focus on things other than military power like intelligence, homeland security and law enforcement.
Thornberry criticized the administration for lowballing that request as threats against the U.S. increase.
“The world is growing more dangerous; we have cut our military too much; and it is up to the political leadership in this country to take the action necessary to enable our service men and women to defend American lives and interests,” Thornberry continued. “The men and women who serve and the nation deserve better.”
Carter said the Pentagon has been asking Congress to reprogram some money to better fight the Islamic State, but has been getting conflicting answers from different committees. He asked Thornberry to help him move the request through.
But Thornberry said he’s not inclined to give the department more money until they provide the overdue plan detailing how it will be spent.
“Until there is some sort of coherent direction on how we’re going to beat these guys, it’s hard to have that conversation,” he said.
