Washington D.C.House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith made the following statement in response to continued calls by Republican for U.S. ground combat troops in Iraq and Syria:

“The incessant call by Republicans for U.S. combat ground forces to be sent into Iraq and Syria is ill-founded and does not comport with reality. We did that before, and it didn’t work. After nearly nine years of conflict, nearly 4,500 dead Americans, and more than $1.5 trillion spent, Iraq is still broken. Why do Republicans want to relive the failed policies of the past?

“Yes, we should support the Iraqis as they fight ISIL, but they must be the boots on the ground in their own country. With our support, they must reach the political and military objectives necessary to stabilize Iraq. Only then can the stability be lasting. For years, we had more than a hundred thousand U.S. troops in Iraq, yet the sectarian conflict raged on. 

“Similar to Iraq, any U.S. strategy in Syria must continue to guard against U.S combat ground troops getting bogged down in another land war in the Middle East. A force is necessary to confront ISIL on the ground, but combat troops must be a domestic force committed to the long-term stability of Syria. We should train, equip and support moderate groups willing to confront Assad and ISIL. We need a capable and willing partner on the ground if we are to be successful in Syria as well as Iraq. But it must be a local force with the support of the local population.”

 

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Date Title
12/5/14 Smith’s Statement on Ash Carter Nomination
12/4/14 Smith Statement on Passage of NDAA
12/2/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on NDAA
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11/24/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith on Iran Negotiations
11/14/14 Current record
11/13/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement for ISIL Hearing
Date Title
9/18/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at ISIL Hearing
9/16/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Syria Resolution
9/10/14 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Presidents Speech
Date Title
8/7/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Iraq
Date Title
7/30/14 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Hearing on Afghanistan
7/29/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Markup of H. Res. 644
7/29/14 Reps. Adam Smith, Cooper Commend Administration for Holding Russia Accountable for INF Treaty Violations
7/29/14 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Hearing on Iraq and Syria
7/23/14 Ranking Member Smith Supports Additional Iron Dome Funding
7/16/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at OCO Hearing
7/14/14 Comments on Letter to President on Consultation with Congress on Iran Sanctions
7/10/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith Statement at Acquisition Hearing
7/9/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Benghazi Transcripts
Date Title
6/19/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Iraq
6/19/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Hearing on Iran’s Nuclear Program
6/17/14 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Capture of Ahmed Abu Khattala
6/13/14 Ranking Member Smith's Statement on Iraq
6/11/14 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Bergdahl Hearing
Date Title
5/27/14 Ranking Member Adam Smith on Afghanistan Troop Announcement