Gus Bilirakis: Islamic State 'Imminent Threat' to the U.S.

With Islamic State (IS) terrorists executing more than 20 Coptic Christians in Libya this week, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., called the killings an act of barbarism and insisted the terrorists are an imminent threat to the U.S.

IS has shown time and time again they are a menace, intent on killing all those who disagree with their views, Bilirakis said on Tuesday. They terrorize religious minorities across the Middle East, and now into Africa. IS must be degraded and ultimately destroyed.

"I have maintained that IS represents an imminent threat to the United States and our allies, Bilirakis added. This act of barbarism simply reinforces that point. As Congress considers the presidents AUMF for combating IS, we must consider the full scope of terror and civilian slayings across Africa and the Middle East. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this tragedy, as well as all those victimized by ISs barbarism."