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Washington senators, McMorris Rodgers react to Obama speech

From staff reports
Washington’s two U.S. senators and the congresswoman representing Eastern Washington promised Wednesday to give President Barack Obama the tools needed to defeat the Islamic State. In a primetime speech on Wednesday, Obama outlined plans for defeating the Islamic State, commonly called ISIS or ISIL, which has taken over vast territory in Iraq and Syria. “ISIL is a brutal terrorist group that wants to attack American citizens, and they need to be stopped. While I continue to ask the administration tough questions as this strategy is implemented, I am glad President Obama laid out an aggressive, comprehensive plan to fight ISIL across the region,” said Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in a prepared statement. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, said in a prepared statement that she supports Obama’s “efforts to build a broad coalition,” but questioned Obama’s strategy, saying “Americans need more than just rhetoric.” “We need a vision,” McMorris Rodgers’ said. “We need a bold, comprehensive, long-term vision that shows our nation’s unwavering commitment to fight terrorism at home and abroad. A single speech will not eradicate the growing threat Islamic militants pose to America and our allies.” Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said in a prepared statement that she backs Obama’s plan. “The United States must stop the advances of ISIL. I support the President’s counterterrorism plan of an air campaign and coalition partners on the ground. While we will not be sending U.S. combat troops, I will support the President’s plans with the resources necessary to degrade and destroy ISIL.” Murray, who voted against war in Iraq in 2003, promised to press the administration for “clarity of mission and goals.” “I understand how important it is for us in Congress to think very carefully about the consequences of military engagement and to push the Administration to fight terrorists across the world in ways that truly keep our country safe,” Murray’s statement said.