Senator Lankford Returns from Middle East Intelligence Committee Trip

Statement

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today returned from an Intelligence Committee trip to the Middle East to evaluate regional anti-terrorism efforts, conduct oversight of intelligence programs, and visit key allies in the fight against terrorism. The trip included stops in Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel, and Lankford was joined by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tom Cotton (R-AR). The Senators met with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri and various American diplomats in the three countries.

"This Senate Intelligence Committee trip to the Middle East is part of my responsibility to evaluate anti-terrorism efforts and oversee American intelligence capacity world-wide. We have impressive women and men around the globe, that most Americans will never know about, who are monitoring international terror cells and activity to ensure we remain safe.

"Our first conversation on terrorism in the region was in Lebanon with Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri; and we met with officials at our Embassy in Beirut. We also visited the Beirut Memorial, which honors the victims of terrorism, including the 241 U.S. service personnel who died in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and those who perished in the 1983 bombing of our Embassy.

"Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel are dealing with many security challenges and multiple terrorist threats on a daily basis. It is important that terrorists are identified and defeated in the Middle East before they bring the fight to our homeland."

Senator Lankford serves on the Intelligence Committee and Homeland Security Committee.

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