U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton said Thursday that President Barack Obama needs to lay out a plan to defeat ISIS, the violent Islamic group in Iraq and Syria that has beheaded two American journalists and reportedly executed hundreds of Shiite prisoners.
“They are extremists,” Tipton said. “They are animals. We need to take them out.”
Tipton said Obama should quickly put together a coalition against the group.
“We’ve abdicated some responsibility we had – just being the United States, the leader of the free world – to lead,” he said.
Tipton’s comments came Thursday in a wide-ranging interview with The Durango Herald’s editorial board. The congressman also discussed federal regulation, water and agricultural issues, the potential listing of the sage-grouse and federal marijuana policy.
Tipton, a Republican from Cortez, is running for a third term in the House of Representatives. He is opposed by Pueblo Democrat Abel J. Tapia, a former state senator and Colorado Lottery director.
Tipton repeatedly returned to the theme of government overreach, saying federal agencies are prone to making rules with no input from Congress.
“We’ve incentivized rule making,” he said.
Proposed U.S. Forest Service permit conditions for water rights used by ski areas? Tipton called the move “a taking” and an “overreach.”
Possible listing of the sage-grouse as an endangered species? “This is an overreach,” said Tipton.
A proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule meant to clarify the agency’s authority over streams and wetlands? “This is an overreach – it’s the biggest water grab in the history of the United States.”
Tipton expressed skepticism of Colorado’s legal marijuana regime, citing some instances of users exhibiting violent behavior.
“Where is the quantitative benefit for this?” he said.
Tipton also pushed back against suggestions that the 113th Congress has been historically unproductive. He pointed to bills he carried and passed through the House with bipartisan support that have yet to see Senate action.
Tipton is regarded by most political observers as a heavy favorite to retain his seat in the Republican-leaning 3rd Congressional District. At the time of a July quarterly report, his campaign had $782,652 cash on hand, compared to Tapia’s $92,170. The Tapia campaign did not return a message Thursday seeking comment.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
