Will Catherine Cortez Masto say a word in opposition to her political mentor’s absurdly partisan maneuver to halt funding for our troops? Given her track record, it’s not likely.
The Hill reports that Democrats took the defense bill hostage in order to gain leverage for a host of other spending measures. Rather than providing necessary funding to American military and national security efforts, they used the opportunity as a bargaining chip:
- “Senate Democrats sidetracked a $575 billion defense bill for next year late Thursday and threatened to shut down Congress’ work on spending legislation, accusing Republicans of shortchanging domestic programs…Democrats fear that if it is completed and sent to President Barack Obama, they would lose leverage with the GOP for future spending measures financing health, public works, law enforcement and other domestic programs.” (Alan Fram, “Senate Dems Block $575B Defense Spending Bill,” Associated Press, 7/7/16)
Don’t expect Harry Reid’s handpicked candidate to go out on a limb and stand with U.S. troops over her political godfather. Her instinct to put politics first already appeared this week when she wouldn’t even rule out following in Hillary Clinton’s footsteps by using a private email server in federal office, despite the FBI Director calling such actions a fireable offense.
Even the Obama administration has warned that ISIS poses a threat as a ‘formidable, resilient, and largely cohesive enemy.’ That’s not enough for Democrats like Reid to pass a defense bill without using as a political tool. And it’s not enough for Catherine Cortez Masto to stand up to Reid and tell him he’s wrong.
BACKGROUND
The Numbers Of ISIL Fighters Now Far Exceeds What Al Qaeda Had At Its Height’
“More than 1,200 people outside of Iraq and Syria have been killed in attacks inspired or coordinated by the Islamic State, according to a New York Times analysis. … Nearly half of the victims were killed in attacks that targeted Westerners.” (“How Many People Have Been Killed in ISIS Attacks Around The World,” The New York Times, 6/14/16)
JOHN BRENNAN, CIA Director:“ISIL… is a formidable, resilient, and largely cohesive enemy, and we anticipate that the group will adjust its strategy and tactics in an effort to regain momentum.”(John Brennan, Prepared Remarks Before The Senate Select Committee On Intelligence, 6/16/2016)
- BRENNAN:“The numbers of ISIL fighters now far exceeds what al Qaeda had at its height. We’re talking about tens of thousands of individuals.”(U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Hearing, 6/16/2016)
President Obama Just Committed To Leaving More Troops In Afghanistan
“President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he will leave behind 3,000 more troops in Afghanistan than originally planned, effectively handing involvement in a raging civil war the United States joined after the 9/11 attacks to his successor. Speaking from the White House, Obama said he would draw down troops to 8,400 by the end of his administration, a change from the initial target of 5,500. Currently there are 9,800 troops supporting the Afghanistan government in its fight against the Taliban, attempts by al Qaeda to regroup and a nascent threat from ISIS. ‘The security situation in Afghanistan remains precarious,’ Obama said, with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford at his side…” (“Obama To Leave More Troops Than Planned In Afghanistan,” CNN, 7/6/16)