Washington, D.C.– Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement regarding today’s vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to train and equip elements of the Syrian opposition against ISIL:

“ISIL is acting with brutal ruthlessness by slaughtering religious minorities, beheading American citizens, and could provide a safe haven for terrorists intent on harming the United States.

“I supported the amendment to train and equip elements of the Syrian opposition to fight ISIL with significant reservations, but felt it necessary to provide the President with this limited and short-term authority.

“I remain concerned about the administration’s ability to effectively and appropriately vet Syrian opposition forces to ensure we are training groups aligned with our interest in defeating ISIL, and that these actions will likely have minimal impact without a broader comprehensive strategy with defined objectives for success.

“The President’s inconsistent approach to confronting the ISIL threat leaves us with limited options at our disposal.  However, this amendment will allow the administration to show Congress and the American people if there is the ability to build an international coalition to confront the emerging threat from ISIL.

“The amendment specifically states that this is not an authorization of the use of military force by the United States Armed Forces.  Congress is the appropriate forum for this debate. As required under the Constitution, the President must bring to Congress for approval a request for the use of force and should provide a comprehensive strategy with clearly defined objectives protecting U.S. interests.”

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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