WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement tonight following President Obama’s remarks outlining his strategy to combat ISIS:

“Tonight, the President laid out the outline of a comprehensive plan to eliminate ISIS, a dangerous terrorist organization that threatens our partners in the region and Europe, the people of Iraq and Syria, and Americans – both here at home and abroad. It is clear to me – based on the intelligence and the evidence on the ground – that the danger of standing idly by and doing nothing far exceeds the risk we assume in expanding the fight against them.

“As a member of an institution that represents the collective voice of the American people, I believe that a robust debate in Congress would help better define our national interests, the inherent risks involved in such operations, and our desired outcome. We have a Constitutional responsibility to address this issue – and doing so will strengthen the country's response to this threat.

“The extent and engagement of foreign partners, particularly those in the region, is a crucial piece of the President's strategy which must be clarified over the next several days. The other important element is the nature of the new government in Iraq which must be more open and inclusive if there is to be any chance of degrading support for ISIS in the predominantly Sunni areas of the country.

“On balance, I think the president did what he had to do – laying out the case for action and defining the elements of a comprehensive strategy – which does not include American ground combat forces – to meet this serious threat.”

###