GOP senator: ‘Lot of skepticism’ about Obama’s commitment to fight ISIS

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said on Sunday that he doubted the administration’s “commitment to dealing” with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the war powers request sent over by President Obama last week will be front and center when Congress returns after the Presidents’ Day recess. 

“I think we should act, not just debate. We’re going to begin a robust set of hearings as soon as we get back,” Corker said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

{mosads}But, Corker said, “I think there is a lot of skepticism about the administration’s commitment to dealing with ISIS or Daesh or ISIL or whatever you want to call them.”

That skepticism is raising concerns about Obama’s strategy, and Corker noted that the 60 vote threshold in the Senate “makes things very difficult.” 

Still, he remained optimistic that both chambers can find language that will “pass muster” and be approved. 

“It is important for us to fully, fully understand the threat, understand how we are going to go forward and I think very important because this is going to be going on for numbers of years,” he said. 

Specifically, Corker wants to see a more specific strategy in Syria from the administration.

Another heavily debated issue plaguing Capitol Hill when they return is funding the Department of Homeland Security. 

When asked if an agreement could be reached between the House and Senate, Corker said “it needs to be funded.” 

“We do not need to leave our nation in a situation with the types of threats that we have with an agency that is not working at full steam so it needs to be resolved and I think it will be,” Corker said.

He did not go into further details on if Congress would meet its deadline for funding the department, which would partially shut down and stop paying thousands of employees on Feb. 28.