WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement in response to President Obama’s address:

“This evening, President Obama laid out a compelling case for American leadership in response to the threat that ISIS poses to the Middle East and the world. I support the President in his efforts to mobilize an international coalition to confront and stop this poison.

“Over one year after I introduced the Free Syria Act to arm the moderate, vetted Syrian opposition, I welcome the President’s renewed and urgent commitment to do just that. The moderate opposition are our partners in Syria—against both ISIS and Assad—and we must expand our support to them so that they may continue to be vigilant in our fight against this dual threat.

“Our national security depends on a robust plan to shore up our partners in the region and demonstrate American leadership. Tonight’s speech was the beginning of an important strategic shift in American policy.”

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