Members of Congress Friday night offered American aid and resources to defeat those responsible for the attacks in Paris that have killed more than 100 people.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said the attacks have all the traits of a clearly coordinated international terrorist attack, and said the risk of French citizens traveling to Syria and Iraq then returning home is “well known and severe.”
“America’s intelligence and law enforcement community will stand by the French to help resolve the situation, recover from it, and pursue justice for the perpetrators,” said Schiff, the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Media reports indicate that seven locations were attacked around Paris on Friday afternoon by men armed with AK-47s, and some with bombs. More than 100 were killed at a French concert hall.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., echoed the sentiment that America stood ready to assist France respond to and stop those who carried out the attack.
“My heart sunk into my chest when I heard the news of another terrorist attack in Paris,” Murphy said. “Now is the time for America to stand shoulder to shoulder with France, our unbreakable ally, in this moment of crisis.”
The urge to commit U.S. support to the French extended to both sides of the aisle, with Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo, saying that “we must stand with the French people in not only condemning these attacks but in defeating those responsible.”
Many other members tweeted out their support to the French Friday night.
President Obama spoke with French President Francois Hollande late Friday night to express his sympathies and reiterate the offer of any U.S. support to aide the French investigation.
