Role of troops debated

White House floats proposal to fight Islamic State,

WASHINGTON — The White House circulated a proposal Tuesday to authorize the Pentagon to fight Islamic State terrorists without an “enduring offensive combat” role, an ambiguous phrase designed to satisfy lawmakers with widely varying views on the need for U.S. ground operations.

Sen. Bob Menendez, DN. J, describing the proposal to reporters, said President Barack Obama would seek an authorization for the use of force that would expire after three years. Obama has been relying on a 2001 authorization for the use of force that Congress approved shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Menendez spoke after he and other Democratic senators met privately with top White House aides on the eve of an anticipated formal request for legislation from the president.

“Hopefully there will not be a significant delay in Congress acting,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest.

The proposal seeks to strike a balance between Democrats who oppose the use of American ground forces in the fight against the Islamic State and Republicans who favor at least leaving the possibility open.

“That’s where the rub will be” as the White House tries to win approval for the legislation, Menendez said.

One senior Democrat, Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, said she has significant questions about the president’s proposal. “I don’t know what the word ‘enduring’ means. I am very apprehensive about a vague, foggy word,” she said.

Recent polls indicate the public generally supports the airstrikes against Islamic fighters that have been underway for months, but that there is less backing for the use of American ground troops on the heels of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Republicans expressed concern with other elements of the administration’s emerging proposal.

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., said administration officials had told him it would not provide for the protection of U.S.-trained Syrian rebel troops on the ground in the event of an air attack by Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.

“It’s an unsound military strategy. I think it’s immoral if the authorization doesn’t allow for us to counter Assad’s air power,” he said.

There was little evident dispute in Congress, however, that new legislation is needed, both to replace the outdated authorization and also to underscore a bipartisan desire to defeat the terrorists.

Some Republicans praised Obama’s willingness to seek legislation.

Many Republicans have said they prefer legislation that at least permits the use of ground troops if Obama decides they may be necessary. Some, including Sen. John McCain, have gone further, saying ground troops are needed if the Islamic State fighters are to be defeated.