The Oklahoman: Oklahoma's U.S. lawmakers react to President Barack Obama's address on Islamic State

The Oklahoman - Chris Casteel

WASHINGTON — Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, including key players on committees that oversee military affairs, reacted Wednesday night to President Barack Obama’s address to the nation about U.S. actions against the Middle Eastern terrorist group Islamic State.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Tonight, on the eve of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, President Obama had an important opportunity to present a clear and compelling plan to the American people to defeat the greatest terrorist threat this nation has faced since the attacks 13 years ago.

“I wanted him to be more honest with the American people, to say that ISIL has evolved into an extremist army with the potential to attack our homeland and to deliver a strategy to reflect this real concern ... The President’s strategy re-plowed the ground of what he has already done and requested what Congressional leaders have already offered. At ISIL headquarters in Raqqa, Syria, you can hear a sigh of relief.

“He spoke of his willingness to conduct additional limited air strikes, including within Syria. Without a supporting military force on the ground in the region with robust U.S. support that is capable of holding territory, these strikes will not be effective in crippling the military capabilities of ISIL.

“This requires training and equipping a vetted moderate opposition in Syria, and includes significantly expanding our efforts to give the Pesh Merga and the Iraqi Security Forces weapons and training.

“This is not Yemen and Somalia, and a counterterrorism strategy will not be able to ‘defeat or degrade’ a terrorist group that has grown to be a well-funded, well-networked terrorist army.”

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, a senior member of the subcommittee that appropriates funds for the Defense Department, said: “In the days ahead, I am certain that Congress will work with the president in a bipartisan manner to preserve our safety, security and freedom. But the president must remember that success in war requires decisive executive leadership.

“At home and abroad, there should be no doubt that the United States is engaged and committed to ISIL’s destruction.

“Until that task is completed, the president should not rule out any options or tactics for achieving this objective. Instead, acting with the support of Congress, he should keep the full array of military tools at his disposal. This would strengthen his support at home, reassure our friends abroad and clearly warn our enemies that they face a united America. Unless the president works with Congress to marshal the full strength of the nation, America will find itself fighting a deadly enemy with one arm tied behind its back.”

Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, “On the eve of the thirteenth anniversary of 9/11, the United States understands it still has an ongoing duty to fight the war on terror and ensure the safety and security of the American people.

“I am grateful the president recognized the real threat ISIS terrorists pose to the Middle East and our nation. When international terrorists have the desire, motivation and the means to carry out their murderous intent, we cannot wait until they kill thousands of Americans before we take their threats seriously. Americans want our sons and daughters in the military back home, but we also understand the capabilities of Islamic terrorists worldwide.

“I pray we can swiftly destroy this terrorist organization to quell the unrest in this volatile region.”

Online:The Oklahoman