Thornberry Comments on Administration's ISIL Strategy

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following remarks upon receiving the Administration's report on the "Strategy for the Middle East and to Counter Violent Extremism." To read the full report click here.

"Over a month after it was due, today the Administration sent the Committee a document entitled 'Strategy for the Middle East and to Counter Violent Extremism.'  As we have unfortunately come to expect from this Administration, the seven page document fails to provide much new information and fails to address all the elements required by law, such as identifying which groups must be engaged to counter violent extremism.  It is also unfortunate that the White House chose to submit this document just after Secretary Carter testified before the Armed Services Committees so that he could not be questioned about it.  It is another missed opportunity to build public and Congressional support for and confidence in their efforts against terrorism. It is unsettling to know that this report may reflect the actual depth of strategic thought within the Administration on how to face this grave threat."