Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack supports the Obama Administration’s decision to close U.S. embassies in the Middle East and North Africa this week.
“I’ve not been privy to any of the intelligence reports, but given what I’ve seen from both sides of the aisle and response from members of congress from both sides of the aisle it certainly appears as so the administration is on the right track and it’s a threat that needs to be taken seriously,” Loebsack says, “and I think everyone in Washington in a decision-making position in the administration and in congress is on the same page on this.”
However, Republican Congressman Steve King has criticized the move, saying it signals U.S. weakness. Loebsack says he “trusts the administration” has done the right thing.
“If by closing the embassies, even if only temporarily, we can save American lives, then I think that makes a lot of sense,” Loebsack says.
Loebsack is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, but since congress was in recess when news of the embassy closures broke, he was not in Washington to receive confidential briefings about the internet “chatter” U.S. intelligence services have said indicates a terrorist attack was in the works.