[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION, 2015

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                               speech of

                         HON. BRAD R. WENSTRUP

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the President's 
request to train vetted, moderate Syrian rebels, as I believe it is 
only one step in the right direction and it's supported by military 
experts.
  Tremendous oversight is going to be necessary in this effort. And 
unfortunately I fear, as do many experienced generals and military 
personnel, that it's part of a strategy that's insufficient to secure 
America's national security.
  The President's stated objective is to destroy ISIL. However, I 
believe that this overall strategy, and the means requested, are not 
enough to meet this objective.
  The current strategy relies on U.S. airpower in support of local 
forces. This is not a counterterrorism effort, and to destroy ISIL, 
it's necessary to have strong coordinated ground troops.
  The local ground forces the President is planning to rely on appear 
currently unready and they will need to operate with a strong central 
command and control.
  The President's strategy does not provide for U.S. Special Forces and 
the backing of our grounds troops, even though our military leaders 
have repeatedly suggested the exact recommendation.
  Our security is too important to base military strategy on political 
calculations. Our strategy must be firmly rooted in what is necessary 
in order to complete the mission and to ensure our security. From 
Clausewitz to Powell, military leaders have preached the necessity of 
decisive force.
  I served in Iraq. We heeded this wisdom and committed to win with 
decisive force. We acted on military reality and not political risk.
  We can do this again and fulfill the American objective to destroy 
ISIL, but we must commit ourselves to do what is necessary. Not only 
what it takes, but whatever it takes.

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