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Pelosi Floor Speech in Support of the President’s Title X Request

September 17, 2014

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor today in support of the President's request to train and equip moderate Syrians, which is being considered by the House today. Below are the Leader's remarks:

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership to help us all uphold the oath that we take when we become Members of Congress – to protect and defend the American people. I believe that the McKeon amendment that is on the floor today helps us to do just that as well.

"Last week, the President presented to the American people a forceful strategy to degrade and destroy ISIS: a strategy built on a firm foundation of non-military action. The President is to be commended for his strong leadership in the humanitarian, political and diplomatic components that must be part of any successful mission: in a humanitarian vein, acting to help assist those impacted by ISIS and avert the genocide of religious minorities – who could ever forget those people isolated on the mountain until the United States and others came to the rescue?

"Politically, insisting and pushing for an inclusive government in Iraq – and I commend the Vice President as well for his leadership. Without the change to an inclusive government that respects not only Shi'a, Sunni and Kurds, but the religious minorities in the country as well, our actions militarily would not be so productive – the actions taken by some, militarily. Again, in the non-military vein, the President is bringing together NATO allies in a coalition as well as regional partners to assist in degrading and destroying ISIS.

"This comprehensive strategy includes increasing our intelligence, disrupting ISIS' finances, and interdicting the flow of foreign fighters. I've said in the past, in my view, the President already has the authority to do what he is doing. However, and I add, this House has voted overwhelmingly to say that, should the President's actions go further comprehensively, then Congress should vote on that authority.

"Today, we are called upon to authorize a discreet but critical component of the overall plan: the President's request to train and equip moderate, vetted Syrians outside of Syria to fight ISIS. This is not an authorization of the use of military force, as we had in 2001 and 2002. I do not support, nor will I support, combat troops on the ground. That's not what this is about.

"I believe that Mr. McKeon and those who worked so hard to put this amendment together took many precautions and set a high standard in terms of criteria, standards that the Administration and this training must meet: where it will occur, who will be trained, extensive vetting of the moderates and the rebels – that's probably the most frequently asked question: How do we know? Well, we can do the best we can to vet, to ensure that we are doing what we set out to do.

"The brutality of ISIS, ISIL – whatever they call themselves on any given day – is outside the circle of civilized human behavior. We wish that this action that we're called upon to do today was not necessary. But it is really hard to uphold our oath of office all the time to protect and defend. It's not always easy. And most of the time it is hard, for anything that takes us down a military path. But the fact is that, with the diplomatic, political and humanitarian foundation that the President has laid out, with the narrowness of the request that he is making to us – it is not pleasant; it is not easy; it is hard – but it really is necessary for the House to approve this. We all wish, again, that it were not necessary. But we approve it to help the Syrian people take responsibility for building peace and stability in their country and stem the threat that ISIS can pose to US interests abroad and to our national security.

"Now, I frequently quote it, and I don't even know if I have it here, Hannah Arendt, she said: Nations are driven to an endless flywheel of violence because they believe that one last, one final gesture of violence will bring peace. But each time they sow the seed – by doing that – they sow the seed for more violence. I would hope that what we're doing today takes us in a different direction – one that is predicated on a nation of inclusion in Iraq, one that defeats ISIS, by the moderates in country, to defeat ISIS. Because ISIS is now cross-border in Iraq and in Syria, and who knows where they may try to go next.

"This is important. It is urgent. And I hope it will have the support of our colleagues. As with all votes, I've never asked a Member to vote with any vote of use of force, or in this case the training of moderates. But I just wanted you to know why I am proud to support the President and salute him for his efforts, I thank Mr. McKeon for his leadership in shaping this resolution, and Mr. Smith. Thank you for bringing this legislation to the floor. With that, I yield back the balance of my time."

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