House speaker Paul Ryan is looking to wage war against ISIS through an A.U.M.F. measure. He recently urged he House majority leader and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to talk to the members regarding its feasibility.
According to New York Times, Ryan wants to begin discussion to reintroduce an A.U.M. F. which the country has relied on since the 2001. He ordered Representative Kevin McCarthy and Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, Representative Ed Royce, to begin discussion about the measure that would authorize war against the militant group.
Royce was supportive of Ryan's move and stated that he wants an A.U.M.F. that will ensure the troops that they have the full support of the government. "I'm looking forward to continuing our discussions. As I've said before, if we can get an AUMF done that ensures our commanders have the flexibility they need to defeat ISIS, I want to move it", Royce said.
But Royce also mentioned that the Obama administration already has the sufficient authority to conduct airstrikes against ISIS. As reported by The Daily Caller he also announced that began to meet with the members regarding the matter on Thursday.
Although Ryan's move is supported by many, Republicans are still reluctant to give more war powers to President Obama after the outcome of their vote in 2002 which authorized war in Iraq. McCarthy also rejected Ryan's call asserting that he doesn't want to restrain the next President with the measure.
According to CBS News, the idea of having a new A.U.M.F. has received mixed response with some lawmakers suggesting very narrow, and some very broad authorization. The broadest proposal came from Senator Lindsey Graham who proposed an A.U.M.F. without limitation, geographical bounds, and expiration.
White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, welcomed Ryan's order but also eventually questioned his ability to push through the measure. It is also unclear how far Ryan will push the measure as he is also busy with a broader policy agenda.
