WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s pick for deputy secretary of state delivered a cryptic message to lawmakers Wednesday about whether the White House will draft the new war authorization it wants.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who is poised to chair the panel next session, pressed nominee Tony Blinken on whether the administration intends to send Congress a draft measure to legally bless the war on the Islamic State group.
After all, Corker told Blinken — now a senior White House national security aide — authorizations of the use of military force (AUMF) are typically crafted and passed in a certain way. Administration officials have long drafted them, carefully spelling out the authorities they believe they will need to fight America's battles. Lawmakers then review those drafts, "and then the negotiations begin," Corker said at Blinken's confirmation hearing Wednesday afternoon.
He asked Blinken if the White House intends to follow this process. But Corker did not get a clear answer.
Blinken began by saying the administration "would welcome" an AUMF for the strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
Next, he said the administration would take one "if we can get" one.
And finally, Blinken completed the rhetorical dance by assuring Corker that Obama administration officials "will absolutely engage" interested lawmakers about a new force-authorization measure.
He never said the White House is writing one, nor that lawmakers should expect to receive a draft any time soon — or ever.
Minutes later, panel Chairman Robert Menendez, D-N.J., told CongressWatch lawmakers should act no matter what the White House does — or does not — do. If Congress opted against acting on AUMFs when presidents go to war, he said, the executive branch could simply do as it pleases.
Menendez said he is open to working with the White House but wants lawmakers to pass a new AUMF.
Obama announced Nov. 5 that he intends to ask Congress to formally approve ongoing American military strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, something members from both parties have called on him to do.
Republican lawmakers, who will control both the House and Senate once there is legislative time to move a force authorization, responded by saying Obama needs to write the first draft.
So far, however, the White House has yet to indicate when a proposal might arrive on Capitol Hill.■
Email: jbennett@defensenews.com.
