Rep. Schiff Statement on Need for New ISIS AUMF – "No Further Excuse for Delay"
Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and author of legislation providing a limited and narrow authorization for use of military force against ISIL, released the following statement today after the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on the need for a new ISIS AUMF:
"For months, many Members of Congress clamored for President Obama to take the first step and send a draft AUMF up to the Hill – despite the fact that it is Congress' responsibility to declare war under the constitution. And now that the President Obama has, weeks ago, the Foreign Affairs committees in both houses have still failed to take up a bill.
"The Senate and House Committees must begin work on marking up an AUMF – any AUMF – that can be brought to the floor, debated, amended and voted on. While I favor an authorization that is narrowly tailored and sunsets past authorizations, the Congress should work its will and determine what form of authorization has the votes for passage. After eight months of unauthorized war, there is no excuse for further delay; our troops are doing their duty, it's time for Congress to do the same."
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