'The Senate was in full panic mode this week,' Maher says. Maher hits lawmakers on ISIL 'panic'

Liberal comedian Bill Maher continued to slam lawmakers for going into “panic mode” over the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and warned against the possibility of America “getting into another stupid war.”

“I’m worried about ISIS. Actually, I’m not worried about ISIS! I’m worried about America getting into another stupid war. That’s what I’m worried about,” Maher said Friday on HBO’s “Real Time.”


Maher’s criticism comes as both chambers voted this week to authorize funding to arm Syrian rebels against the terrorist organization. A point Maher also took aim at.

“Here’s the great part, the part you’re going to love: We are also arming and funding the moderate rebels in Syria,” Maher said. “[Sen.] John McCain says he understands the skepticism about that, but says he’s been over there many times, he’s met with them and he said he’s carefully vetting them. Something he said about Sarah Palin, but I’m going to let it go.”

The late-night host, who has been vocal about his opposition to U.S. involvement in the Middle East, used the issue to hit lawmakers on domestic legislation, specifically on not increasing the minimum wage.

“The Senate was in full panic mode this week,” Maher said. “They had hearings on ISIS and they are very concerned, they said, with the over the 100 Americans who have gone over there to fight with ISIS, which I think indicates one thing above all, we’ve got to raise the minimum wage. Seriously. If that’s looking better than McDonalds?”

The comedian railed against the fear drummed up by both lawmakers and the media over ISIL and its potential threat to Americans.

“I’m not saying that there aren’t people out there who want us dead. I’m just saying there are much more likely killers right here,” Maher said, pointing to issues like climate change and chemicals used in agriculture.

He added, “When it comes to being baited into going to war, America has to try a little harder to not be so f—- easy!”

“Just a few months ago polls showed Americans were sick of war, they’d had enough. They were anxious to stay out of the Middle East. Then they saw two beheadings and overnight and they were like, ‘Oh, war, we can’t stay mad at you,’” Maher said.