Top Senate Democrat on ISIS Threat: 'It's Fear-Mongering'

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) blasted the Obama administration and members of Congress for engaging in “fear-mongering” over the Islamic State terror threat. 

“It’s fear-mongering. It’s what happened after 9/11. ‘Oh my God, they’ve got these planes crashing. Now they’re going to take over America.’ That’s nonsense,” Harkin told the Huffington Post. 

Harkin added, “We overreacted to 9/11. Most of the people that did 9/11 were Saudis. Why the hell didn’t we invade Saudi Arabia? There wasn’t one Iraqi involved in 9/11,” said Harkin. “We just keep jumping from one mistake to another. I have a feeling we’re going to do the same thing with the [Islamic State.]” 

Other Democrats in tight Senate races like Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) issued less than enthusiastic responses to President Barack Obama’s Islamic State counterterrorism plans. 

“I will not give this president–or any other president–a blank check to begin another land war in Iraq,” said Udall. 

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), also in a bitter Senate election battle, said he does not support Obama’s plan to arm Syrian opposition forces. 

“I oppose the president’s plan to arm Syrian rebels at this time. I am gravely concerned by reports of ISIS seizing and utilizing U.S. weapons intended for those fighting against the Syrian regime, and we must have greater assurance that we aren’t arming extremists who will eventually use the weapons against us,” said Begich.