A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators introduced legislation Thursday that would authorize the president’s use of military force against terrorist organizations, and say their measure will get a committee vote.
Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., said their bill would grant authority for the president to take action against the Islamic State, al Qaeda, and the Taliban. The move comes nearly two months after President Trump ordered missile strikes in Syria as well as well as a massive bombing operation in Afghanistan.
This legislation, however, would not authorize another Syria strike.
“Congressional authorization for the use of military force against ISIS, al Qaeda and the Taliban will make clear to our allies and our adversaries that we are united in our resolve,” Flake said.
Sen. Kaine said lawmakers “owe it to the American public to define the scope of the U.S. mission against terrorist organizations and we owe it to our troops to show we’re behind them in their mission.”
The two said the bill would specifically authorize actions against terrorist organizations, rather than specific countries such as Syria or North Korea.
“To be an associated force you cannot be a state,” Kaine said. “If the president decided to take action against Syria again, this would not cover that.”
Kaine and Flake are among a minority of congressional lawmakers eager to tackle a new military authorization, known as an AUMF. Neither House nor Senate GOP leaders have promised to take up an AUMF bill, although McConnell said he’d review such a request if sent by President Trump.
Congress passed the last AUMF in 2001 in response to the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks, and that is the authority under which Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and now Trump are conducting anti-terrorist military actions in the Middle East that include some use of ground troops.
Kaine and Flake said after 16 years, it is time for a new authorization.
The bill is meant to replace the existing authorization, the lawmakers said, and they have assurances the legislation will move forward in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“Sixteen years in, the chair is now saying, now is the time to take this up,” Kaine said.
Kaine acknowledged lawmakers are reluctant to take a vote authorizing war powers. Flake said lawmakers want an AUMF, “but have a hard time coming up with something that fits the evolving threat that we have.”
