US lawmakers urge congressional backing for fighting Islamic State
(VOVworld) – US lawmakers called on Sunday for congressional authorization of President Barack Obama’s fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, amid signs that the US and its allies face a long, difficult fight.
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| A vehicle was damaged in what activists say was one of US air strikes in Kfredrian, Idlib province September 24, 2014. (Photo: Reuters) |
US House Speaker John Boehner said Obama had the legal authority for strikes against Islamic State but would call on lawmakers to back Obama if he needed a resolution backing the action.
Democrat Senator Chris Murphy, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Tim Kaine both advocated Obama’s strategy to launch air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Tony Blinken, Deputy National Security Adviser, was confident that strikes against Islamic State militants were showing progress. He said it would take time to strengthen opposition forces on the ground which is going to be a long-term effort.