House GOP bill would authorize use of military force against ISIS

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) said Wednesday that he plans to introduce a bill when Congress reconvenes next week that would authorize the use of military force against terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Wolf’s legislation would further authorize the use of force against al Qaeda and its regional affiliates, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and any other “emerging” terrorist group sharing “a common violent extremist ideology.”

{mosads}Wolf said that the House and Senate should address the terrorist group during its brief session in September.

“Congress needs to act on this before recessing at the end of September,” Wolf said.

The Virginia Republican said his bill allowing the use of military force would establish clear congressional and executive authority. 

“This resolution would provide clear authority for the president and our military, working with coalition partners, to go after these terrorists, whether in Syria, Iraq or elsewhere. We cannot continue operating on outdated authorities passed 13 years ago; it is time for this Congress to vote,” Wolf said.

Additionally, Wolf said he would introduce a separate measure that would repeal the War Powers Resolution and require the president to consult with Congress before deploying troops into a “significant armed conflict” or operations expected to last more than seven days. It would also require the House and Senate to vote on an approval resolution within 30 days.

Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Angus King (I-Maine) offered companion legislation in the Senate earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said he would introduce legislation to authorize airstrikes against ISIS following the release of a new video showing the second beheading of an American journalist in recent weeks.

It is unclear whether either the House or Senate will vote on authorizing force when lawmakers return to Washington Sept. 8.