US Senators to Discuss AUMF on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Senators Bob Corker and John McCain will lead a senatorial conference on Wednesday to discuss US President Barak Obama’s proposed authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against the Islamic State and its affiliates, US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

“Because this issue demands such serious consideration, I want our members to have an early opportunity to discuss the President’s request. That’s why, later today, our Conference will meet for a discussion led by Senators Corker and McCain,” McConnell said on Wednesday.

McConnell pointed out that Congress should carefully debate the authorization, because the US commitment to combat the Islamic State will require a multi-year effort.

“Individual Senators and committees of jurisdiction will review [the President’s request] carefully, and they’ll listen closely to the advice of military commanders, as they consider the best strategy for defeating ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant],” McConnell said.

On Wednesday, the White House released a draft legislation on the AUMF against the Islamic State. The draft specifies that the authorization will terminate three years after being enacted.

The United States has carried operations against the Islamic State since August. The Obama administration has justified its actions against the Islamic State based on the existing 2001 and 2002 AUMFs, originally passed to target the perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, and to authorize the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.