Barack Obama will be delivering a primetime spiel to the nation tonight, supposedly outlining his plan for “degrading and ultimately destroying” ISIS. But even his onetime allies in the mainstream media are skeptical that he has anything of import to share with the American people, much less a strategy. If it were golf or fundraising for Democrats that was on this evening’s television lineup, you can bet the president would show up with bells on (and probably a silly-looking bicycle helmet).
However, the job of confronting the threat posed by murderous Islamists is too important to be given lip service, which is why ten members of Congress are trying to force Obama’s hand, introducing legislation demanding that he develop a genuine game plan.
In a press release, Congressman Darrel Issa explained:
It’s past time for President Obama to define a course of action. The brutal murder of two American journalists was a shocking wake up call for the public, but the threat ISIL poses to America’s national interests has grown unchecked for some time. We need a strategic plan to stop the spread of their hateful ideology and violence. The defeat of ISIL must be a top priority – this resolution authorizes the use of force for a definite period and requires President Obama to develop and share his strategy with Congress and the American people.
Some key passages include:
Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has committed acts of terrorism and crimes against humanity and continues to train and equip jihadists to further commit humanitarian atrocities in the region;
Whereas ISIL jihadists have directly threatened the United States and its allies;
Whereas the War Powers Resolution requires the President to obtain congressional authorization for the continued use of United States Armed Forces after the limitations specified in section 5(b) of such Resolution have been met;
Whereas Congress, in order to determine the actions necessary and appropriate to protect the national security interests of the United States, must receive a strategic outlook on the role of the United States Armed Forces in combating ISIL;
Whereas it is in the national security interest of the United States to restore international peace and security to the Middle East region…
The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The resolution authorizes the president to use forces against the terrorist group but extends that power for 120 days, twice the length authorized under the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier today stated that “the threat from ISIL is real and it’s growing” and “it’s time for President Obama to exercise some leadership in launching a response.”
Cross-posted at the Mental Recession
