The White House's plan to train and equip Iraqi ground forces for the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) is being questioned by Democratic lawmakers who believe the administration is giving conflicting messages about its execution.
According to
The Hill, while Congress approved President Barack Obama's plans to train Syrian rebels, the testimony of top officials about the military strategy raised concerns that it has not been well thought out. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, for example, said he would not rule out the use of combat troops, contrary to Obama's insistence that there would be no boots on the ground.
"I find it pretty disturbing that we are having this hearing after we've taken a vote, because I don't think that the plan that I have seen was detailed enough to make me believe that your plan will work," California Rep. Loretta Sanchez told Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at a hearing Thursday.
"And I hope the other members of this committee believe that it's important for us to understand exactly what this plan is, because I'm not so sure of it, and I haven't heard the details as I'd like to hear them."
Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, said that "Congress has not done our job in looking over what the overall long-term plan is."
Others believe that while the plan is clear, it may not be sufficient to achieve the end goal of degrading and destroying ISIS.
"The president outlined four pieces to a strategy. It's coherent," said Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, according to the Hill. "But what is their mission?
"With respect to that piece, we ought to be thinking more modestly. You're hearing a lot of unease even among those of us who supported it that the goals not be so heroic that they're unreachable."
Other Democratic lawmakers, however, believe Obama has been clear in his plans.
"I support this because I weigh heavily the equity that [Obama] has put forth a strong initiative founded on nonmilitary strength … and that this discrete piece of training moderates outside of Syria … is worthy of support," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, according to The Hill.
"The bill that people are being asked to vote for has every — have you read it? — it has every check and balance in it along the way in terms of who, what, when, and why," Pelosi said.
The White House said it would redouble its efforts to give clear messages about the strategy, with spokesman Josh Earnest saying Obama feels a "strong commitment to ensuring that we're communicating clearly … about what our policy is and about what our policy isn't."
"I am confident that the senior members of the president's national security team are on the same page as the commander in chief," Earnest added, according to The Hill.
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