The News Star - Abraham: U.S. Must do More to Destroy ISIS

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By Ashley Mott

Congressman Ralph Abraham, R-La., is calling for increased action from President Barack Obama's administration in the wake of Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando.

"We've got to strike at all Islamic terrorists where they live," Abraham said, "and the administration is not…Our commanders have told the administration what we need to do but are having to fight with their arms tied. I don't know whether it is incompetence on the part of the administration or an unwillingness to address the elephant in the room."

In a Monday briefing, FBI Director James B. Comey said the shooter claimed allegiance to the leader of ISIL, the perpetrators of the 2013 Boston Marathon attack and a Florida man who died as suicide bomber in Syria for a terrorist group in 911 calls made during the attack.

"There are strong indications of radicalization by this killer and of potential inspiration by foreign terrorism organizations," Comey said. The FBI is the lead investigative agency on this case because it is a terrorism investigation.

In a statement released Sunday, Abraham offered prayers for the victims and said, as a nation, the United States must do more to destroy ISIS and end all terrorist threats.

The fight must reach the homes of Islamic terrorists and continue until the terrorists are eliminated from earth, he said.

Abraham said Orlando, San Bernardino, Brussels and Paris all highlight how out-of-control the fight has become and the overall threat of Islamic terrorists.

As further details from the shooting continue to emerge, some lawmakers have renewed efforts to restrict gun sales.

USA Today reports Democratic senators said Monday that they will seek in the coming days to take up legislation drafted by California Sen. Dianne Feinstein that would ban gun sales to people on terrorism watch lists.

The Senate voted down similar legislation last year after a renewed push following the December shootings in San Bernardino, California, where a radicalized couple opened fire at a holiday party killing more than a dozen people.

"This man was going to find a way to kill people," Abraham said.

He said increased gun control measures would only punish law-abiding citizens and not keep evil people from doing evil.

"It can happen anywhere," Abraham said while encouraging individuals to remain vigilant -- continuing with day-to-day life shows terrorists they have not won.

"We will not let them intimidate us," Abraham said. "We are Americans. We are strong. We are brave, and we have much heart."

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