Rep. Bradley Byrne (R., Ala.) blasted Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter for not saying what America's strategy is for defeating ISIS.
At the House Armed Services Committee hearing, Byrne addressed the bombing in Brussels, which ISIS has claimed responsibility for, before asking him for a plan to defeat ISIS as there is concern the Obama administration is not taking enough action to counter the threat posed by the terrorist group.
"We have a law that we passed called the National Defense Authorization Act. It required you to submit to the Congress by Feb. 15 a plan for defeating these people. I know you told the chairman that it was imminent. The statute says you shall do it by Feb. 15. You are in violation of the law. When an average American is in violation of the law, there are consequences. Would you care to explain to the committee why there shouldn't be consequences for your failure to follow a law that was signed by your president?" Byrne said.
"Well, I already explained that that report will be in front of you imminently," Carter said.
Byrne was not happy with this answer and continued to argue with Carter for an answer.
"I'm gonna ask you again. Do you not agree that you are in violation of the law?" Byrne said.
"We will have that report to you shortly, congressman," Carter said.
"I don't think that's a satisfactory response. When we pass a law around here, it means something. Now, peoples' lives are at stake, you know that better than any of the rest of us. I don't think—" Byrne said.
"Well, people's lives aren't at stake over a report. We have a strategy," Carter said.
"You need to give us a plan now," Byrne said.