Larson says Congress should cut its break to deal with Iraq

Washington – Rep. John Larson, D-1^st District, said members of Congress should stop second-guessing President Obama’s strategy toward Iraq and return early to Washington from their summer break to debate the issue.

“The extreme violence and latest political unrest witnessed in Iraq has brought to light old and new questions about the region. As President Obama’s administration weighs several options, Congress should be fully engaged,” Larson said. “Rather than remaining at home second-guessing and criticizing the President’s every move, Congress should be back in Washington and fully briefed.”

Congress is due to return from its summer break on Sept. 8.

Larson also said ‘it remains unclear with regard to strikes in Syria” whether President Obama needs Congressional authority.

Obama has authorized surveillance flights over Syria, a precursor to potential airstrikes there, to root out the militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, which has destabilized the Iraq government and threatens to do the same in Syria.

The challenge for the White House is how to target the Sunni extremists without helping President Bashar al-Assad, a U.S. foe.

“There is no question that Americans are weary of war,” Larson said. “Given the gravity of the situation, their elected Representatives should be in Washington, working through these issues.”