Lawmakers In Both Parties Press John Boehner For Full War Debate

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to schedule a full debate on the president’s request for authorization to use military force against the Islamic State — including giving all members the ability to amend it.

In a Wednesday letter to Boehner, 20 Democrats and Republicans said they have a constitutional responsibility to thoroughly vet the president’s proposal. Among other things, President Barack Obama’s proposed AUMF would limit military operations against the Islamic State to three years and allow for U.S. ground troops only in specific cases. Lawmakers in both parties have ideas for improvements to the document, which the White House sent to Capitol Hill earlier this month.

For now, lawmakers are eager to hear testimony from administration officials on the president’s AUMF and their strategy for defeating the Islamic State. Secretary of State John Kerry will testify in two House committees this week on Obama’s foreign policy budget, which will likely include discussion of the AUMF.

The Huffington Post