Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) issued the following statement after the President's address to the nation on Wednesday night.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) issued the following statement after the President’s address to the nation on Wednesday night:
“It is obvious that ISIS is a clear and present danger to the security of our nation. The President and every member of Congress take an oath to ‘defend the nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.’ Therefore, the President should have clearly and emphatically outlined and defined a strategy to defend our nation and totally defeat ISIS. Sadly, he did not do this.
“You seldom win a war by telling your enemy what you will not do and limiting your options unilaterally. ISIS has repeatedly vowed to bring their terrorism to the United States. We should make the same decision regarding any and all military actions towards them. We should also take all other steps, economically, diplomatically and morally to isolate and cut them off from international support. We should revoke the passports of any American citizen proven to have enlisted in their ranks.
“The President did not ask for Congressional authorization, but I believe the Congress should specifically authorize action against ISIS. It might be appropriate to pass a declaration of war, to unambiguously show the United States is committed to total victory, but at a minimum the Congress should pass an authorization of force resolution.
“The President had an opportunity tonight to unite the country and show ISIS their days are numbered. Instead, he issued a self-limiting series of half measures that may slow and weaken ISIS, but won't defeat it.”
