Calls grow for new Congress to vote on ISIS

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is joining Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in arguing a vote authorizing further military force against Islamic militants should be held, after a new Congress takes power.

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said it would be wrong for lame-duck lawmakers voted out of office to make the decision on authorizing military action.

{mosads}“Lame ducks, with little accountability, should not make an AUMF the final vote of their term,” wrote McKeon, who is retiring at the end of this year. 

“Incoming representatives will oversee this conflict, and they should bear the responsibility for authorizing it — even if that means a vote can’t take place until January.”

Republicans are likely to hold on to their majority in the House, but leadership of the Senate could change in the new year. Democrats are clinging to their Senate majority, and Republicans believe this is the election they will win back power in the Senate.

Boehner has also said a vote on military action should be delayed until after the election, though he has also said President Obama could bring Congress back now for another vote.

Earlier this month, Lawmakers approved a bill authorizing the president to arm and train Syrian rebel groups.

McKeon said the authorization should be its own legislation and should be subject to a lengthy and open debate. He said it should not be part of an omnibus spending bill.

The earlier vote was part of a package to keep the government funded. Congress will have to approve a new funding bill after the election.