McKeon supports funding request to fight ISIL, questions current strategy

Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) welcomes Barack Obama’s request for additional funding to fight ISIL, but would like to hear an explanation of the president’s strategy first.

McKeon was responding to White House officials urging Congress to approve $5.6 billion to cover “unanticipated costs” in the war against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. The proposal would send $5 billion to the Department of Defense and $520 million to the State Department.

“I have long been concerned that the president has underfunded our combat operations against terrorists – not only against ISIL, but against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan and their affiliates in Asia and Africa,” McKeon said. “So his acknowledgment that funds for the Department of Defense are necessary to support Operation Inherent Resolve is welcome and I will give any new funding request fair consideration.”

McKeon isn’t convinced that the administration’s plan to defeat ISIL is sufficient, however.

“I would urge the president to reconsider his strategy and clearly explain how this additional funding supports a new direction,” McKeon said. “Such clarity is more likely to find swift Congressional approval.”

The White House has asked Congress to approve the overseas contingency operations funds by Dec. 11, which is also the date when a temporary measure to fund federal agencies expires and Congress must either approve new funding or risk another government shutdown.