On September 12, 2013 Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding what he sees as the president’s lack of leadership on a range of issues, including Syria and Iran.
“Madam Speaker, we’re living in a dangerous world abroad, with challenging economic times at home, but America has been here before. On Tuesday, Americans witnessed the embarrassing and dangerous results of this administration’s lack of a coherent foreign policy: Vladimir Putin filled the global leadership void. What happens next with Syria and that region is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear that America is not in the driver’s seat.”
“The President failed to convince me–and most of the American people–that military action in Syria is in our best interests. This debate was not conducted from a position of foreign policy strength because Syria was allowed to fester. Flawed attempts at coalition building failed”, he said.
“Iran is ever closer to a nuclear bomb. Iran funds terrorist organizations. Iran’s influence in the region is significant. And a Middle Eastern arms race would likely follow, the results of which could be catastrophic. The world is looking to America for leadership. The American people are looking to this President for leadership. Mr. President, it’s time for you to step up to the plate”, siad Rep. Johnson (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php).
See related video: Bill Johnson questions the President’s Obama Foreign Policy leadership http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35U8HYe7sR0
Congressman Bill Johnson sits on the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United States House of Representatives.
Below are Congressman Johnson’s subcommittee assignments:
Committee on Energy and Commerce:
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations