President Barack Obama’s administration is finalizing the text of its request for Congress to authorize the use of military force against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria, with plans to deliver that request to Capitol Hill as early as Wednesday.
The White House is expected to propose a three-year authorization that’s specific to fighting ISIS. It would also repeal a 2002 measure that allowed military action in Iraq.
Obama’s administration is briefing lawmakers on the request it plans to make Tuesday, with White House counsel Neil Eggleston meeting with Senate Democrats during their policy lunch.
“The final text of the AUMF and timing for delivery will not be locked until we are able to complete these robust consultations and consider all of the feedback we have received,” a source familiar with the White House’s outreach to Capitol Hill said.
The White House is requesting that Congress formally approve the use of military force against ISIS — enhancing Obama’s legal authority to combat the terror group, which he’s been doing under old measures that came in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Though an updated authorization is broadly supported by lawmakers, there are details to work through — including limitations on the use of U.S. ground troops, the timeline for the authorization and the scope of the region it covers.
Also unclear is how the new measure will deal with a 2001 authorization used to take on Al Qaeda and its offshoots. If that measure isn’t repealed, future presidents could still use it to wage war against those organizations.
That, though, is a sticking point for Obama, who wants to repeal that authorization.
“Might as well do it right,” a Democratic source familiar with the negotiations said.