Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I have a letter that was written to myself and Ranking Member Smith from four of our leading experts in the area, former Ambassadors to the area, and former generals: Ryan C. Crocker, Robert S. Ford, General Jack M. Keane, and General David H. Petraeus. This letter was dated this morning: Dear Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith: We write to express our strong support for congressional authorization of the provision of assistance and training to properly vetted members of the Syrian opposition. The Free Syrian Army is simultaneously fighting both the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad and the barbaric Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham. Providing greater assistance to the Free Syrian Army is the United States' best opportunity to develop a moderate force that is capable of defeating ISIL and bringing about a post-Assad Syria that is free of terror. As you may know, Free Syrian Army forces have recently achieved some successes on the ground against ISIL forces in northern Syria, but their effectiveness is limited by their lack of sufficient assistance and training. Building up the moderate opposition in Syria will be a key element of any successful strategy against ISIL. To be sure, after 3 years of war, it will take a long time to build the moderate opposition. But there is no viable alternative. The United States must set to this task immediately. Finally, we note that approval of this measure should not prevent or circumscribe Congress from considering a properly scoped authorization for the use of military force in the future, or from otherwise revisiting or revising its position on this issue as conditions on the ground evolve. But time is of the essence, and we are convinced of the urgent need for Congress to authorize this effort. Sincerely, Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker; Ambassador Robert S. Ford; General Jack M. Keane, USA, Retired; and General David H. Petraeus, USA, Retired. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my friend and colleague, a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), my friend and the distinguished majority leader.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), my colleague and the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup), my friend and colleague and a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, that is my understanding.

Mr. McKEON. Or the passage of the NDAA, whichever comes first.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to offer an amendment to House Joint Resolution 124 to provide authority to train and equip appropriately vetted elements of the Syrian opposition in order to defend the Syrian people from attacks by ISIL and to protect the United States and our friends and allies. ISIL is a clear and present threat to our allies across the Middle East and to the United States. In this time of crisis, the President has asked for this authority because none of the existing Department of Defense train-and equip-programs fit the circumstances. Specifically, the President has requested the authority to train and equip nongovernmental entities fighting in the non-U.S.-led operation in Syria. There is no doubt that any strategy to defeat ISIL must contain a Syria component. I believe that there are options to defeat ISIL in Syria short of a major U.S.-led combat operation. But the window of opportunity is closing. That is why I am supporting the President's request and have agreed to draft an amendment to the continuing resolution based on a modified version of the administration's initial proposal. My amendment would allow the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance, including training, equipment, supplies, and the sustainment of the vetted opposition. The provision is intended to authorize activities necessary to facilitate such training and equipping activities, including the appropriate modification of existing facilities and the establishment of expeditionary facilities suitable for such training and accommodation, as well as payment of stipends to trainees. The President's request did not specify the amount of funding that would be required for this effort and contained few oversight requirements. Therefore, my amendment would strengthen congressional oversight by requiring detailed reports, including progress reports on the plan, the vetting process, and the procedures for monitoring the end use of the training and equipment. It would also require the President to report on how this authority fits within a larger regional strategy. This amendment does not authorize additional funds. However, it would allow the Department of Defense to submit reprogramming requests to Congress should the President require funds to execute this authority. It also permits the Secretary of Defense to accept foreign contributions. Lastly, the amendment would state that nothing in this bill be construed to constitute a specific statutory authorization for the introduction of the United States Armed Forces into hostilities. There may be a time when we need to have an AUMF debate, but this is not it. The President has not asked for such an authority. My amendment is narrowly focused on training and equipping Syrian opposition fighters to counter ISIL. This language was drafted in collaboration with the chairs of the national security committees and shared with the minority. Additionally, the language for this authority has been reviewed by the Department of Defense and the National Security Council. Lastly, let me emphasize that this train-and-equip authority is a necessary part--but only one part--of what should be a larger strategy. It must be part of a larger effort in Syria, in Iraq, and across the region. Let's also remember that it will be our men and women in uniform who will be conducting this training. We continue to ask more and more of our military, yet their funding continues to be cut. This is not sustainable and must be addressed. Again, ISIL is a clear and present threat to the United States and our interests. My amendment is a necessary step to support what should be a larger strategy by the President to defeat ISIL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to respond to my good friend from California, we have adjoining districts and we agree on many things, we disagree on a few things, but I would like to say that I agree with you. This is something that the Congress should address. For 20 years--I have been here 22 years--whenever a President has asked for this, we have addressed it. We have not addressed it without having the request from the President. This is something we had quite a debate a few weeks ago about what previous Presidents have done or not done and what authorities they have and what they don't have, and some of it just has not yet been decided by the Supreme Court. The President says he has the authority. He says he needs this additional authority to help in Syria. That is the question we are addressing here today. I think that we are bound to have this discussion. I know the Speaker wants to have it. Mr. Smith said he wants to have it. I want to have it. I think one thing that we should really probably consider in all of this, this is not going to be a 1-month or a 2-month or probably even a 1-year or 2-year commitment that we are making here. ISIL is very serious about this, and we are going to be in this fight, as we have seen in the past, for a long time. And it is a new commitment. So I am thinking that, as close as we are to the election, there are going to be a lot of new Members here that are going to be living with this discussion, this debate, this vote, potentially for a long time. And I think those are the people that probably should make that decision in January or as close as they feel comfortable to having that debate. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mr. McKEON. I yield the chairman an additional minute.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne), my friend and colleague and a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, at the President's request and in the amendment that we are debating--we got a little bit far afield there-- there is no request for money. The President says he doesn't need any additional moneys to carry this out. All he needs is the authority to go into Saudi Arabia and take their offer of training the Syrians to be able to go home and defend their homeland. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), my friend and colleague and a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the previous gentleman for his comments. He is the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee. He understands this situation very well, and the only thing I would say is the reason we say ISIS/ISIL--I would just say ISIL because they are the same. We need to let the American people know who the enemy is. It is that group, ISIL, and they are the worst of all, in my opinion. Secondly, the reason we are doing this now is twofold. The President asked for it. We only have one Commander in Chief at a time. I didn't vote for him, but he is our Commander in Chief. He asked for this. We are responding to that request as he asked us as Commander in Chief. Secondly, and I think this is very important, Saudi Arabia stepped up and said not to keep this secret, but: we overtly will open up our territories and give you training facilities to train these Syrians. That sends a message to people in that part of the world that this is not the big, bad Satan America against the world. This is moderate Arabs, Kurds, Sunnis, and Shi'a all joining together against terrorism that is out to destroy the world. I think that opened up this possibility for the President to ask for this, and I am hopeful that we will be able to give him that authority. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), my friend and colleague, a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. King), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McAllister), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana, Dr. Fleming, my friend and colleague, a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), my friend and colleague.