WASHINGTON — Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) indicated on Thursday that he may move to prevent President Barack Obama from deploying U.S. ground troops against the Islamic State by introducing a funding bill to limit how the money appropriated for the military campaign can be used.
The question of whether to deploy U.S. ground troops in Iraq is at the center of the congressional debate about Obama’s recent request for an authorization for the use of force against the militant group. Republicans overwhelmingly support the use of American ground forces, while most Democrats believe the fight on the ground should be limited to local Iraqis and Syrians, with the assistance of U.S. trainers.
“Is there any debate between our two esteemed lawyers and general about the ability of Congress to use the purse to limit the use of ground troops?” Garamendi asked witnesses Benjamin Wittes, Robert Chesney and retired Gen. Jack Keane during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday. “For example, no money for infantry brigades, armored brigades, artillery, etc. but perhaps money for Special Forces and the like? Is there any doubt about the ability of Congress to limit using the purse?”
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It is far from certain that a push to prohibit funding for ground troops against the Islamic State would pass the Republican-controlled Congress. House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.) said Thursday he thinks the president’s proposed AUMF is unacceptably restrictive on the topic of ground forces. He opened the hearing by saying, “We already put too many encumbrances on our troops in carrying out the missions they are assigned, in my opinion. So going into battle with a lawyer nearby to decide a particular action is enduring, or offensive or a ground combat operation seems problematic.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has called for 10,000 troops to counter the militants. “An aerial campaign will not destroy them,” he said. “You’re going to need boots on the ground, not only in Iraq, but in Syria.”
