WASHINGTON — New Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday displayed an independent streak, distancing the military from a key part of a draft White House war-authorization measure.
The White House last month sent Congress an authorization of the use of military force (AUMF) for the Islamic State conflict that would, among other things, end the legal foundation after three years.
This proposed "sunset" provision is among several contentious issues that senior lawmakers say make passing an AUMF a heavy political lift. And Carter made clear the military would have excluded the provision had it had final say.
"That is not something that I would have deduced from the Department of Defense's necessities, the campaign's necessities, or our obligation to the troops," he told the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee.
"I wouldn't assure anyone that this will be over in three years or that the campaign will be completed in three years," Carter explained.
The comment comes after Carter pledged during his early-February confirmation hearing to give the president his most candid advice, and lawmakers his honest policy opinions.
Carter, confirmed the day after the Feb. 11 submission on the war measure, was not a part of the White House-led effort to craft something from which lawmakers soon will begin tweaking as they seek to bridge divides in search of language that can pass both chambers.
Though he took office after the AUMF was crafted, Carter explained the sunset provision is one part a constitutional matter and another part political.
"I think it has to do with the political calendar in our country," he said. "I understand that.
"That's a constitutional issue wherein the executive branch and the legislative branch share responsibility for the conduct of military operations," Carter said.
"The three years comes from the fact that there'll be a presidential election in two years and so forth, and I respect that," the secretary said. "That's not a military or a defense consideration, but I respect it as a constitutional consideration."
email: jbennett@defensenews.com
Twitter:@bennettjohnt
