Congressman Gerry Connolly today called on Congress to cancel its plans for another recess until it passes a new focused Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) allowing President Obama to conduct airstrikes against the ISIL terrorist organization.

Speaking on the House floor Tuesday, Connolly said he supports passage of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon’s amendment granting the President limited and temporary power to conduct airstrikes against ISIL.  If passed, the amendment would be attached to a short-term Continuing Resolution introduced by House Republicans to fund the federal government until December 11.

“I hope we act, not only on this amendment, but on a new authorization for the use of military force allowing the President to carry out airstrikes and other necessary activities to defeat ISIL,” Connolly said.  “But, instead of taking up this charge and debating issues of war and peace, we are about to break for another recess.”

Connolly praised President Obama for laying out a bold and decisive strategy to lead a multilateral operation designed to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL.  “This is a threat we must address,” Connolly stressed.

“While I support the McKeon amendment before us today, Congress should do more to assert its Constitutional role and responsibility, and act as a stakeholder in the assault against ISIL,” Connolly said.  “I believe the President will find bipartisan support here in Congress for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.  This tactic thus far has effectively bolstered our partners on the ground, protected American assets, and facilitated humanitarian mission.”

Connolly said Congress should pass a new AUMF focused on targeting ISIL because “the 2001 AUMF (authorizing military force against those who committed the 9-11 attacks) has gone stale.”

Connolly said the short-term amendment introduced by McKeon, a California Republican, provides for careful Congressional oversight, requires progress reports from the President and the Department of Defense, does not provide a blank check for military operations, and is not an open-ended commitment.
 

He said the McKeon amendment is a step in the right direction that addresses many concerns about the plan to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition, “but we ought to postpone any Congressional recess until we pass a new AUMF.”

Statement of Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11) on McKeon Amendment to Authorize Airstrikes and Training to Defeat the ISIL Threat

September 16, 2014

I rise today in support of the amendment.

The President has laid out a bold and decisive strategy to lead a multilateral operation designed to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL.

This is a threat the United States must address sooner or later.  I prefer sooner.

ISIL's acts of genocide are undermining the stability of Iraq, threatening our partners in the Kurdistan Region, and reversing gains made by moderate forces in Syria.

I believe Congress has a constructive and collaborative role to play here in the effort to eliminate the ISIL threat.

I appreciate that the measure before us takes a step in that direction while addressing many concerns that have been raised about the effort to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition.

First, the amendment provides for careful Congressional oversight.

The Department of Defense must report to Congress on the vetting process for trainees 15 days prior to providing any such assistance.

The President must report to Congress on how this operation fits within our overall regional strategy.

And, the Department of Defense must submit a report every 90 days updating Congress on the status of the operation.

These are prudent measures and consistent with the Constitutional role of Congressional oversight.

Second, this amendment does not provide a blank check for military operations. No additional funds are provided by this measure, and the Department of Defense must submit reprogramming requests to Congress.

Third, this is not an open-ended commitment. The limited activities authorized by this amendment will remain in effect until the earlier of the date of the expiration of the CR or the enactment of the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act. 

Almost one year ago, in response to the President's consultation with Congress on the deepening crisis in Syria, I introduced a resolution authorizing the President to carry out airstrikes against the Assad regime. In that case, Congress chose to demur.

Today, I hope we act, not only on this resolution, but ultimately on a new authorization for the use of military force allowing the President to carry out airstrikes against ISIL. The 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) has gone stale, and it is time for a new focused authorization targeting ISIL.

I believe the President would find bipartisan support here in Congress for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. This tactic thus far has effectively bolstered our partners on the ground, protected American assets, and facilitated humanitarian missions.

But, instead of taking up this charge and debating issues of war and peace, we are about to break for another recess.

While I support the measure before us today, I hope Congress will do more to assert its constitutional role and responsibility, and act as a stakeholder in the assault against ISIL.

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