U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the following statement on President Obama’s address to the nation:

"I trust the brave men and women in America’s armed forces to carry out the mission given to them to combat the despicable ISIS terrorist group. The military personnel and civilians at MacDill Air Force Base, CENTCOM and SOCOM in Tampa will be central to our country’s efforts to eventually bring peace and justice. Ultimate success in combating radicalism cannot be achieved by military might alone, however. The strategy to combat the ISIS must include robust diplomatic, economic and counterterrorism efforts. Furthermore, I intend to continue to insist that the Administration assemble and employ a broad international coalition in the effort, as America cannot afford to bear the burden alone or with limited support.

"Finally, the U.S. Constitution combines with the War Powers Act to require the President to consult Congress to authorize new hostilities. There should be no hesitance on the part of Republican Speaker John Boehner to schedule such a vote. It is the Speaker’s duty – no less than the President’s responsibility -- to allow Congress to debate and vote on such an important action and I urge him to do so. Thirteen years after September 11, 2001, we must remain vigilant against safe havens of radicalism but cognizant of the costs of war America has come to know all too well."

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