Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of an amendment to the Continuing Resolution related to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS):

“ISIS is a very dangerous terrorist organization, and action must be taken in order to defeat them.  President Obama requested language be added to the Continuing Resolution in order to train and assist forces to fight ISIS, such as the Free Syrian Army.”

“That being said, Congress must not abdicate its responsibility on this important issue.  I believe we should take additional action, but that was not an option available to me today.  I would have preferred an opportunity to vote on language similar to the proposal introduced today in the Senate by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.  His resolution is a narrow and specific authorization for the use of military force against ISIS.”

“I and some other lawmakers in the House have been discussing an approach akin to Senator Kaine’s.  Given the fluid nature of the situation, there may be a time we can pass a similar proposal."

“Like others, I have reservations that the President’s strategy is not well enough defined.  Does he envision there will be troops on the ground provided by Saudi Arabia or other Middle Eastern Islamic countries to whom the threat of ISIS is closer than the threat to the United States?  Some Middle Eastern Islamic nations have pledged money, but to effectively combat ISIS, they need to have soldiers on the field of battle.”

“While many questions are yet to be answered, I believe this amendment is an acceptable first step.”

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