President Obama Requests 3-Year War Authorization Against ISIS

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President Obama is asking Congress to authorize war against Islamic State militants, offering a draft resolution that says the Islamic State “poses a grave threat.”

The president is sending Congress a proposed three-page authorization for military force. A copy was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press from congressional officials.

Obama would limit authorization to three years, with no restriction where U.S. forces could pursue the threat. Obama’s proposal bans “enduring offensive combat operations,” an ambiguous term intended as compromise between lawmakers who want authority for ground troops and those who don’t.

Obama is proposing to end a 2002 authorization for war in Iraq. But his draft remains silent on 2001 legislation against al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Lawmakers on Wednesday morning received a draft Authorization for the Use of Military Force a resolution that would formally authorize a six month U.S. military effort against the militant group. Shortly after the request was sent to the Hill, the White House announced Obama would speak to the public on the issue Wednesday afternoon.

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