Executive Session

Floor Speech

I thank the Democratic leader for his concerns about the defeat of ISIS. If there is one thing I hope we can all agree on, it is that Turkey is not our ally or friend right now. Turkey's invasion of Syria is benefiting ISIS, Iran, and Russia, and hurting our great ally, Israel.

The United States must stand up for our partners, the Kurds, who helped us fight ISIS. I am hopeful the ceasefire will last, keeping American soldiers and our partners, the Kurds, safe. Nobody wants our men and women in uniform involved in unnecessary, extended military conflicts.

Bringing our troops home is a goal we all share. In order to achieve that goal, we need to have a fuller understanding of the crisis in Syria and what got us there--with the hope our troops can finally come home.

I also agree that the President should always be clear with Congress on where all U.S. troops are located and the purpose of their deployment. Unfortunately, my colleague's proposal would produce a report that only tells a small part of the story.

In the name of transparency and a fuller understanding of how we got here, I am proposing a modification to my colleague's bill to require a report that includes information on President Obama's plan for Syria.

We didn't get here overnight. The Democratic leader knows that. He said himself it took us 5 years to get here. So I think we all would like to see what the strategy--or lack of strategy--was from the last administration that put us in this position today. Let's get all the facts on the table so lawmakers in Congress and Americans all across the country can have all the information we need to keep Americans and our allies safe.

I further ask that the amendment be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I am disappointed in yet another political stunt from the Democratic leader. It is clear this is nothing but a political attack on the President.

President Trump's goal is to bring American troops home and keep our partners, the Kurds, safe and our ally, Israel, secure. The Democratic leader is requesting information from President Trump but refuses to join me in asking for information about the sequence of events and the strategy under President Obama that led us to this point.

This is sad, but it is not surprising. It is just another charade in a long list of political games. Americans deserve a safe Israel and a safe Syria, so I stand today to object.

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