WASHINGTON – Appearing on CNN’s “The Situation Room” today to discuss President’s Obama’s address Wednesday night on U.S. plans to defeat the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the administration’s apparent decision not to seek authorization from Congress is “extremely lacking in judgment.”
“I think the president should come to Congress and ask for the authorization for the use of force…I don't think he’s going to ask for that, and I'm dismayed by that,” Corker said. “I think most people here want to deal with ISIS in a strong manner that exterminates them. But I think not seeking that approval on the front end is extremely lacking in judgment.”
He further questioned how the president plans to build a capable fighting force that is necessary to have success in confronting ISIS in Syria.
“One of the things that I've not heard yet is any coherency to how we deal with Syria,” added Corker. “And, obviously, in Iraq...we have things in place there that you can build off of on the ground. We don't have that in Syria. And I haven't heard anyone yet, from the administration, explain how we're going to deal with that.”
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