Blog: 13 Years Ago... But No Time To Forget Posted

Statement

Thirteen years after the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans from coast to coast unite in a solemn moment of unity and remembrance. Our pledge to those who lost their lives thirteen years ago -- and in military campaigns overseas since then -- is to redouble our efforts to protect our homeland and ensure our own security through vigilance and the preservation of American strength.

Last night President Obama took to the airwaves to outline his plan for combating the unquestionable evil that is ISIL. I agree we cannot allow a threat to the civilized world to fester in the same way al Qaeda was allowed to train and prepare for attacks against the United States prior to 9/11. But I also question whether the rise of ISIL in Iraq would have been as possible as it was if the Administration, and the Congress whom we elect to ensure the Administration does its job -- had not taken their eyes off Iraq the moment their campaign promise was nominally fulfilled. America must be consistent, or we will not be able to defend ourselves against enemies who do not take us seriously.

In the Reagan Administration, I crafted a civil defense program which, thankfully, we have not had to use. Today, I spoke with my Veterans for Robinson chairperson, Vietnam veteran and Marine Bruce Broussard, whose hard-won wisdom I value greatly. We must honor those who defend us by keeping our obligations to them, as Lincoln indelibly said "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan," and that means consistently keeping our promises to our veterans. One of those promises is to use our military might advisably. And to care for those who return home to the very best of our abilities. Congress can never allow another repeat of their failure to monitor the VA's failings of our veterans.

I want to hear more about how this proposal by the president will avoid past mistakes by being consistent, and credible and commensurate with the threats of today. And I want Congress to do its job and stop shirking responsibility for asking the tough questions and holding the policy-makers to account. But thirteen years after the attacks on our homeland, I just want to bow my head in memory of those we lost on that day and respect for those who have served selflessly to protect us from its re-occurrence.

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