Klobuchar Praises Obama's Airstrikes Plan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she supports President Barack Obama's plans for U.S. airstrikes to battle Islamic State extremists.

Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, says Obama made "a clear national security case" for "why we need to take strong and decisive action."

Klobuchar says she supports targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as well as training and equipping the moderate Syrian opposition.

Another Minnesota Democrat, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, says Obama should exercise his authority to expand airstrikes in Iraq, but should consult with Congress before taking "any warranted action" in Syria.

At least one former Minnesotan, Douglas McAuthur McCain, has died in Syria while fighting with the Islamic State. Federal authorities have estimated roughly 100 people have left the U.S. to join the conflict in Syria, including several from Minnesota.