[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S4206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Flake):
  S. 1587. A bill to authorize the use of the United States Armed 
Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I am pleased today to introduce in the 
Senate, with my colleague Senator Flake, the first bipartisan 
Authorization for Use of Military Force, AUMF, against ISIL. The United 
States launched military action against ISIL over 10 months ago on 
August 8, 2014. It is far past time for Congress to fulfill its duty by 
debating and determining whether or not it is in the nation's best 
interest to order United States troops to risk their lives in this 
mission and vote on an ISIL AUMF.
  This bill authorizes the U.S. mission against ISIL for the purpose of 
protecting the lives of U.S. citizens and providing military support to 
regional partners in their battle to defeat ISIL. As stated by the 
authorization, the use of significant U.S. ground troops in combat 
against ISIL is not consistent with this purpose, except to protect 
lives of U.S. citizens from imminent threat. Other key provisions 
include a sunset after three years unless reauthorized; a repeal of the 
2002 Iraq AUMF; and a clause that defines this authorization as the 
sole statutory authority for the war on ISIL, as opposed to the 2001 
AUMF.
  Thousands of members of the United States Armed Forces have been 
deployed to support military operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. 
As of June 2015, the United States has conducted over 3,500 airstrikes 
against ISIL and spent more than $2,600,000,000 American taxpayer 
dollars on this war--a number that continues to rise by approximately 
$9,000,000 per day. Tragically, members of the Armed Forces have been 
killed in Operation Inherent Resolve, and United States hostages have 
been killed by ISIL in barbaric ways.
  However, while Congress has authorized appropriations for Operation 
Inherent Resolve and the training of anti-ISIL forces in Syria, it has 
yet to take formal action to approve this mission. Doing so is critical 
for reinforcing the leadership of the United States with our coalition 
partners and sending a strong message to our adversaries that the 
United States is united in the fight against ISIL and speaks with one 
voice in confronting ISIL.
  President Obama submitted an authorization for use of military force 
against ISIL in February 2015. And still Congress has not undertaken 
its most solemn duty and responsibility under Article 1. The American 
public deserves this congressional debate to educate them about the 
national security interests at stake and the advisability of this war 
and Congress should do its job by formally voicing its support or 
disapproval of the mission against ISIL.
  I am proud to join Senator Flake in introducing a bill to start this 
necessary debate. As we saw with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, 
it is possible to find bipartisan compromise on even the toughest of 
foreign policy issues and I challenge my colleagues to finally come 
together to do what is right for our troops and our nation.

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