MILWAUKEE — U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan says the circumstances that led to the purported beheading of a second U.S. journalist by the Islamic State group reflect a weakness of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy.

Ryan heard the news Tuesday while taking questions at a luncheon at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. An organizer told him of news reports saying an Internet video had just been posted purporting to show the beheading of Steven Sotloff.

Ryan said a prayer might be in order and he called for a moment of silence. Then he said one reason groups like the Islamic State have risen so quickly is because of the power vacuum created by the Obama administration’s “bad decisions.”

He says the U.S. needs a decisive campaign to “finish off” the Islamic State.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.