Congressman Kim Statement on Deployment of Troops to the Middle East

Congressman Kim Statement on Deployment
of Troops to the Middle East

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement in response to news of the planned deployment of an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East:

"The Administration owes the American people a strategy behind these actions. They owe the families of the servicemembers deployed an explanation of why and to what end.

We can't bring stability and security to the Middle East without a strategy. If the Administration has one, I'm eager to listen, and will work to shape and hone. If they don't, then we've seen what happens when we enter a conflict without fully understanding or considering the consequences.

I've previously worked on Iraq and Iran issues at the White House during a crisis and I know how complicated these decisions are. I share the goal of countering Iran's nefarious and dangerous actions, and this should be a goal both Democrats and Republicans consider without an ounce of partisanship.

As with any national security issue, I'll work with the Administration if they approach with seriousness and strategy. Without a clear strategy there is too much room for mistakes and misunderstandings to back us into a war even if that wasn't the goal. With so much at stake, we have to do it smart.

Congress must be briefed on these developments and we should stand ready to exercise our Article I authority before being led into another conflict without end or reason.

I've talked with servicemen and women at our Joint Base who stand at the ready to defend our freedoms. I'm committed to ensuring that if we ask them to put themselves into harm's way to that end, that we fully and articulately explain why and have a clear plan and path to success. That is what they deserve."

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Prior to serving in Congress, Congressman Kim served in Afghanistan as Strategic Advisor to Generals David Petraeus and John Allen. Kim went on to serve as Director of Iraq in the National Security Council during the Obama Administration where he coordinated the crisis response to countering the rise of ISIS.