After a classified briefing by CIA officials, House Intelligence Committee member Jan Schakowsky said Tuesday that the terrorist army known as the Islamic State is not an “immediate critical” threat to the U.S. homeland.
“I do feel more confident that the threat to the United States itself is not immediately critical. That’s very important,” Ms. Schakowsky, Illinois Democrat, told CNN’s “New Day.”
The congresswoman’s assessment contradicted the prevailing view of Americans.
An overwhelming 90 percent of U.S. voters described the Islamic State as a “serious threat,” according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
The poll also showed that just 38 percent of Americans approved of Mr. Obama’s handling of international affairs.
Ms. Schakowsky attended a closed-door briefing Tuesday night by CIA officials who detailed President Obama’s pending strategy to more aggressively confront the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS. Mr. Obama is scheduled to address the nation at 9 p.m. Wednesday to outline his strategy.
Ms. Schakowsky gave high marks to the president’s new plan.
“I think the strategy that was explained and that is ready to be implemented is one that members across the aisle felt confident in,” she said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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