U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement on the President’s address to the nation this evening.
“Tonight President Obama laid out a comprehensive strategy for defeating ISIL and unequivocally called on Congress to finally vote to authorize the use of military force against the terrorist group. The President stated that such a measure would demonstrate that the American people are united and committed to this fight. I urge leaders in the House and Senate to move consideration of an ISIL-specific Authorization for the Use of Military Force to the top of the legislative agenda.
“I introduced an authorization to use military force against ISIL in September 2014. It received a favorable vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last December, but Congress refused to act by year-end. In June, Senator Jeff Flake and I introduced a new bipartisan war authorization but Congress has remained on the sidelines. The events of recent weeks demonstrate that Congress can no longer ignore this threat.”
“More than 3500 American troops are serving in the battle against ISIL far from home. American troops, hostages and civilians have now been killed in this war. The national legislatures of Germany, England, France and Russia have stepped up to debate and vote on military action to counter this threat. Congress should now do the same in order to show our allies and our troops that we are unified in resolve against ISIL.”
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