Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid chastised House Republicans after they met Tuesday with former Vice President Dick Cheney and discussed potential U.S. military action against the radical Islamic group ISIS.
“Taking advice from Dick Cheney on foreign policy? That’s a terrifying prospect,” the Nevada Democrat said Wednesday on the Senate floor. “We should be learning from our past mistakes, not repeating them. Airstrikes and strategic use of drones and, of course, covert action are the most effective way to take out ISIS without committing troops — American troops in harm’s way. So I support President Obama’s decision not to send in ground troops. That’s not an option for the American people. I can guarantee everyone that, within the sound of my voice.”
Reid warned rushing into another ground war in the Middle East.
“Now that the Republicans are taking advice from Dick Cheney on foreign policy, I’m concerned that they once again will rush to commit U.S. troops to a ground war in the Middle East. We could accomplish the mission in a more strategic way. I say to Democrats and Republicans, let’s destroy these despicable terrorists, but let’s do it the right way this time,” he said.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to address the nation on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET to discuss U.S. strategy against ISIS, which in recent weeks brutally executed two American journalists who were captured in Syria.
