Chairman Royce Sets Hearing to Examine Obama Administration ISIS Strategy

 
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, September 18 to question Secretary of State John Kerry about the President’s recently announced strategy on ISIS.  (The hearing was originally scheduled for September 16.)      
 
The hearing, entitled “The ISIS Threat:  Weighing the Obama Administration’s Response,” will begin at 11:30 am.
 
Chairman Royce said:  “This terrorist group – born of al-Qaeda but more sophisticated – presents a grave threat to the United States and our allies.  While it’s hard to understand how anyone is attracted to its barbaric ideology, some are, including Americans, raising the threat.  Having beheaded two Americans, this vicious group needs to be rooted out, both in Iraq and Syria.  It is right to target ISIS from the air, while local Arab and Kurdish forces are trained and armed to battle on the ground, but Syria can’t be a sanctuary from U.S. and allied air strikes.  Air strikes and local training and equipping are the right tools, as U.S. infantry shouldn’t be sent into this fight.  The President’s speech was a start and this hearing will allow the Committee to assess if the Administration, after much delay and denial, is prepared for the sustained commitment needed to destroy ISIS by building a powerful coalition against these brutal jihadists.”  
 
What:
Hearing:  The ISIS Threat:  Weighing the Obama Administration’s Response
 
When:
11:30 am on Thursday, September 18
(was originally scheduled for September 16)
 
Where:
2172 Rayburn House Office Building
 
Witness:
The Honorable John F. Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State