Cornyn to Obama: It’s a ‘terrible mistake’ to avoid Congress

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) warned President Obama he would need congressional approval to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Obama is expected to give a speech at 9 p.m. on Wednesday detailing his plans to combat ISIS, a terrorist group that has taken swaths of land in the Middle East and killed two American journalists.

{mosads}Cornyn said he hopes Obama asks Congress to authorize the use of military force to combat ISIS, especially if it will cost money.

“We need to have a robust debate and there needs to be a bipartisan effort,” Cornyn said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “War is expensive. … He needs to come to Congress to get the appropriations.”

Cornyn cited reports that Obama will need at least $5 billion to operate air and drone strikes in the region.

On Tuesday, Obama met with Senate and House leaders and told them his plan would not require congressional action, but lawmakers are still calling for a vote if military service members’ lives are risked.