Dold Reacts to Empty, 13-Minute Sales Pitch For Status Quo

Statement

U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (IL-10) tonight released the following statement in reaction to President Barack Obama's Oval Office address:

"As the President acknowledged in his address, ISIS and other radical Islamic terrorist factions have evolved and adapted both tactically and strategically in recent years. Unfortunately, the President made clear tonight that his own strategy to combat and defeat the terrorist threat has not evolved in any way. What should have served as an opportunity for the President to quell the fears of an increasingly alarmed public with a renewed commitment to American leadership and strategic engagement in the war on terror, was instead an empty, 13-minute sales pitch for the status quo that did little to inspire confidence in the Administration's understanding of the threat we face or how to defeat it.

"I want the President to be successful in his efforts to protect the American people. That's why I've regularly broken with my party in favor of efforts that I believe will make our country safer, such as preventing known or suspected terrorists from buying guns and explosives. But when the President time and again underestimates those who wish to end our way of life, it is Congress's role to hold him accountable. I will work with anybody -- Republicans and Democrats -- who is willing to take action to stop terrorists from coming into the United States and quell the tide of terror abroad. I hope President Obama will put aside politics and join us in our efforts to ensure the safety of the American people."

BACKGROUND

Rep. Dold has been a leading advocate in calling for the Administration to take seriously the threat of ISIS and reverse our nation's retreat from a leadership role within the international community.

He is one of two Republican co-sponsors of H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015.

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