A top House leader used a resolution condemning the French terrorist attacks as a platform for criticizing President Obama’s foreign policy strategy, declaring that “the war on terrorism isn’t going to lead itself.”
The House voted to pass a resolution offering condolences to the people of France, where Islamic terrorists killed 17 people earlier this month. The measure also condemned the terrorism and acknowledged the growing threat of Islamic terrorists.
“President Obama has spent much of his presidency spreading false hope that the ‘tide of war’ was receding despite mountains of evidence to the contrary,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “Although the Obama administration sought to declare the war on terrorism over, the terrorists have only increased their assaults against free and moderate societies who do not share their extremist worldview.”
McCarthy called on Obama to use his State of the Union address to outline a plan to combat Islamic terrorism.
“Amidst increasing threats to the homeland, will President Obama call on Congress to reauthorize expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act that have kept our nation safe?” McCarthy said. “Will he present a coherent strategy to address the continuing threat posed by [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] in both Iraq and Syria? Will he discuss the terrorist safe havens emerging from Libya’s descent into lawlessness and chaos? Will the president acknowledge the threat that the Taliban’s growing strength in Afghanistan poses to our hard-fought successes in that country?”
Both Democrats and Republicans have been clamoring for Obama to send a new request authorizing the use of military force in the Middle East. Obama said in November he is planning on sending a new request to Congress at some point.
McCarthy also criticized Obama’s ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and the country’s support of terrorists groups in the region, as well as Obama’s efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.
The House approved the resolution by voice vote with little debate, with both Republicans and Democrats speaking in favor of the measure.
“I do know that it has to be a world, global effort,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said of the fight against terrorism. “But it also has to reach the hearts and the minds of young men … who are becoming subjected to radicalism. We have to stop the bleeding, if you will, and begin to promote openly our values which includes the respect for religious differences.”
