Nevadans vary on support for Obama strategy

WASHINGTON — Nevada members of Congress expressed varying levels of enthusiasm Wednesday after President Barack Obama presented a strategy to combat jihadist forces that have shaken up the Middle East.

Obama told a national television audience he plans to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the group that calls itself the Islamic State through a broad campaign of air strikes, including inside Syria for the first time. He also plans to step up training and equipping allies in Iraq and friendly rebel forces in Syria.

Obama said the U.S. would lead an international coalition in attacking the militants he said pose threats in the region and ultimately to the United States if left unchecked.

Nevada Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford said he counted himself in support of the strategy against the jihadists, who have obtained control of swaths of Syria and Iraq and got Americans’ attention in a big way when they beheaded two U.S. journalists.

“Through mass killings and beheadings, this group has demonstrated its abhorrent barbarism, lack of regard for humanity, and desire to harm American interests,” Horsford said. “I support these efforts and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure America remains secure.”

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus said she needed to hear more. She said she planned to attend briefings the Obama administration is holding for lawmakers this week, and would be asking questions.

“I will ask for more details about the current situation and the president’s plan for action,” Titus said. “It is important that members of Congress be kept in the loop as we consider providing resources and support for any new initiatives.”

Republican Sen. Dean Heller said he was weary of engaging U.S. troops in another conflict. Obama said he planned to send nearly 500 more military personnel to the region — bringing the total U.S. commitment to more than 1,000 — but promised they would not engage in combat.

“The coalition building needed must center around Arab states being just as aggressive as we are” in the fight, Heller said. “In the next couple of days, I look forward to hearing the exact details.”

Republican Rep. Mark Amodei sits on the House Appropriations Committee that might boost Obama authority for his strategy in a spending bill being prepared for votes.

Amodei said he will judge the plan on whether it can result in meaningful action “because I think something needs to be done.”

“I am just sorry that it has taken so long to act, instead of hoping against hope for a better situation in the Middle East,” he said.

Republican Rep. Joe Heck said before the speech he wanted to hear Obama say he planned to act “quickly and decisively” and that the U.S. would take a “robust leadership role” while relying on allies in the Middle East more directly threatened by the Islamic State.

Afterward, Heck said Obama met the test. Heck, an officer in the Army Reserve, said the strategy, “if properly executed … can have decisive impact.”

“I support the president’s decision to expand air strikes … so that ground forces in Iraq can go on the offensive and agree that we must attack this enemy wherever they pose a threat to the United States,” Heck said.

Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, said he supported Obama’s strategy after getting an advance briefing with other Capitol Hill leaders.

“Tonight, President Obama made clear that his strategy to destroy (Islamic State) will be smart, effective and targeted,” Reid said. “We will not rush into another ground war in the Middle East and we will not go it alone.“

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @STetreaultDC.