Senators draft bipartisan proposal on use of force

WASHINGTON >> The Senate has a blueprint for an upcoming debate on fresh terms for the U.S. military’s campaigns against extremist and terrorist groups after a bipartisan pair of senators on Monday released a long-awaited proposal to replace the current authorizations for use of military force with new legislation.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., joined with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., one of Congress’ most vocal advocates for a new AUMF, to draft the proposal authorizing operations against al-Qaida, the Taliban, the Islamic State and affiliated groups. Their legislation would replace the 2001 and 2002 authorizations Congress approved to greenlight the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq legislation many lawmakers argue has been inappropriately stretched and strained in the years since to cover military engagements that were never envisioned under the original authorizations.

“For too long, Congress has given Presidents a blank check to wage war,” Kaine said in a statement accompanying the announcement of the legislation. “Our proposal finally repeals those authorizations and makes Congress do its job by weighing in on where, when, and with who we are at war.”

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a co-sponsor of the new proposal, pointed out that only 22 senators and fewer than 150 House members who voted to approve the 2001 AUMF are still in Congress today.