e-News 7/29/16

• A View from the Frontline in the Global War on Terror
• “Troops Struggle with Obama’s Afghanistan Cuts”
• “A new jihadist threat may be on the horizon in Syria.” 
• “Turkey: Another Intelligence Failure”
• “Veteran health clinic to open” in Sussex County
• Listening Tour Continues
• Salute: Cedar Grove Elks Lodge 2237

As you read last week’s eNewsletter, I just returned to the United States from a six-day, five-nation official Congressional delegation trip to the front lines of our ongoing military campaigns in the Middle East. 

In my capacity as Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Committee, I traveled with the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mac Thornberry (TX), to Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and Afghanistan – locations where U.S. military personnel are stationed.   

At all stops, we were briefed on current plans and operations and the challenges facing U.S. troops, our allies and the greater role for Iraqis and Afghanis in their stead. 

The tactical military reports we received about the fight against ISIS were somewhat positive – progress is being made in Iraq.  Clearly, the preparations for the huge upcoming battles to retake Mosul, Iraq and Raqqa, Syria are advancing. But many questions remain. For example: What comes after ISIS is driven out of these two key cities?  How do Iraqis and Syrians put the pieces back together again, if ever?  Will there be hundreds of thousands of new refugees?

In Afghanistan, our military leadership is grappling with how to cut our troop level down to the end-of-year 8,448 “cap” set by President Obama a few weeks ago.  It’s a challenging equation.  For example, this arbitrary troop number forces aviation units to leave their aircraft maintainers behind in the States.  Yet, someone has to take care of the deployed aircraft, so the military hires private contractors who do not count against the President’s troop cap. Of course, contractors are more expensive, much more expensive, than allowing troops to sustain their own aircraft.

In any case, the President is not leveling with the American people: there are a lot more military personnel - uniformed and civilian – on the ground than the Pentagon will acknowledge, special forces especially.

Additionally, the “rules of engagement” and “authorities” remain unclear as to how our troops or combat aircraft are permitted to actually fire upon ISIS, Al Nusra, the Taliban and various affiliated groups.

Then there is the question of funding for operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.  Clearly, the President’s budget did not take into account the stepped-up operations he’s authorized and he’s going to have to ask Congress, and the American people, for more money to support the troops, a “supplemental appropriation.”

Most importantly, I was able to meet many deployed servicemen and women from New Jersey.  From them I hear first-hand accounts of their personal sacrifices and those of their families.  I continue to be impressed, and incredibly proud, of the troops we produce in New Jersey!  The conditions in which they perform are often terrible, characterized by 120 degree temperatures and oppressive humidity!

To view pictures of our trip, click here.

“Troops Struggle with Obama’s Afghanistan Cuts” Jacqueline Klimas’ article in the Washington Examiner is worth a read.

“A new jihadist threat may be on the horizon in Syria.”  Read David Ignatius’ column in the Washington Post here.

“Turkey: Another Intelligence Failure” Stephen Blank writes for the Atlantic Council.  Read his interesting piece here.

“Veteran health clinic to open” in Sussex County.  Read the storyhere in the Morris County Daily Record.

Listening Tour Continues

I visited businesses, large and small, in Rockaway Township and Rockaway Borough this week and touched upon issues related to New Jersey’s business climate, jobs, over-regulation and increasing healthcare costs and obligations. 

Salute: Cedar Grove Elks!  I was honored to attend last weekend’s very successful picnic for veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam at their lodge.  We thank them for all of their support for the veterans at VA-Lyons Medical Center!