Speaker John Boehner said that Congress should have a debate about continuing use of force in Syria.
“I have made it clear that I think the House and the Congress itself should speak,” the Ohio Republican told the New York Times.
Speaking at a campaign event in New England, Boehner also noted that the timing — midterm election season — is wrong for such an important decision on fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria to be made.
“Doing this with a whole group of members who are on their way out the door, I don’t think that is the right way to handle this,” he said.
Thus, if the effort against the terrorists in Syria is still happening when the new Congress convenes in January, Boehner suggested Obama produce a new proposal.
“Assuming that we continue in this effort, there may be that discussion and there may be that request from the president,” he said.
Boehner said he is also open to a more expansive military campaign to destroy the Islamic State.
