Legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) would authorize the use of military force against ISIS, al-Qaeda, the Taliban and any successor terror organizations in Iraq and Syria.
Young, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he introduced S.J.Res. 31 because “it is long past time” for Congress to pass an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) after more than two years of the U.S. bombing ISIS targets.
“As they have done throughout our nation’s history, members of our armed forces are once again bravely serving and fighting overseas to keep us safe, and it is important for them and their families to know that Americans and their representatives in Congress stand with them,” Young wrote in an op-ed. “In addition to providing our troops the necessary resources for victory, the best way for Congress to express that support is to consider and pass a well-formulated AUMF.”
Young’s legislation would require the Trump administration to submit a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS to Congress for review.
“An AUMF against ISIS would incentivize greater congressional scrutiny and oversight of the executive branch’s strategy to defeat ISIS, establish greater accountability by Congress to the American people, and prevent a further dangerous erosion in the Congressional war powers that undercuts the ability of the American people to influence our nation’s decisions related to war and peace,” Young wrote.
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) reintroduced a separate version of an AUMF against ISIS, H.J.Res 63, in February.
“Radical Islamic terrorism is still on the rise, and it’s critical that the commander-in-chief is not restricted in his capabilities to use the full might of our armed forces necessary to eradicate this threat,” Kinzinger and cosponsors of the bill said in a joint statement. “We look forward to working with the president and his administration in developing the best strategy, pursuant to this authorization, to destroy ISIS.”