Obama administration officials and lawmakers from both parties have been in agreement for months that Congress should bless America's latest fight against a violent Islamist group. So far, however, neither side has produced a new authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) that could pass both chambers.
But that soon could change. CongressWatch spoke with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who has been in talks with White House officials.
Q. A source with White House ties says the Obama administration is aiming to submit an AUMF in the next few weeks. Is that what you're hearing?
A. I have a strong sense that something will be coming over soon. ... I get the sense that they're very close, yes.
Q. The source suggested the White House wants to give you something before Congress recesses from Feb. 16-20. Is that what you're planning for right now?
A. Possibly, yeah. ... My sense is that will be the case. But it's in their hands. You never know, at the last minute that might change.
Q. Do you plan to start working on this in committee after the Presidents' Day recess?
A. Again, we've got to have the document from them. You know, I think they're trying to develop language that they believe can get strong, bipartisan support.
Q. What do you expect to be the major sticking point? Will it be language prohibiting US ground troops from participating in combat operations? The two parties are split on that issue.
A. I think [White House officials] are trying to work through ... some of the concerns they have there.
Q. On a ground troops provision, is it mostly a matter of how it's worded to prohibit some things while also giving the president operational leeway?
A. I don't think it's just how it's worded. People have some very strongly held feelings about that. You know, whereas generally speaking Republicans — this is a general statement — the natural tendency on our side of the aisle is to give more freedom [to the president]. There may be feelings on the other side that, look, this latest effort is a lot different than the last two efforts. And then all kinds of people are all over the board on it.
I think [White House officials are] trying to send something up that allows them to accomplish what they want to accomplish while he's president. But at the same time, something that can get broad, bipartisan support. So that's taking a little bit of effort.
Q. Can language on the thorniest issues be crafted in a way to secure 60 votes in the Senate and also pass the House?
A. The only way you can even consider the high probability of getting something through is the White House to be fully behind the effort, and for them to originate the first draft. Otherwise, I don't think there's any possible way. It really changes dramatically your ability to move it if the president seeks an authorization, and again, I think they're going to do that soon. That is, to me, the central starting point for the effort to be successful. And then they've got to be pushing it.
