Boehner ally pushing for ISIS war vote

A senior House Republican on Monday called out his colleagues for not passing a war powers resolution against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“Each day that we delay real action on the matter is another day that ISIL grows stronger,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a close ally of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), in a statement, using another acronym for the terror group.

“Congress needs to send a clear message to our enemies and allies alike — when it comes to the barbaric actions of this terrorist organization, we are united and will stop at nothing short of total victory,” he added.

{mosads}Cole and Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, plan to send a letter to Boehner, urging him to take action on a new authorization for use of military force (AUMF) against ISIS.

President Obama sent his war powers resolution to Capitol Hill in February, and members of both parties promptly panned it.

Republicans said text restricting “enduring offensive ground combat operations” could limit military options. Liberals argued the same language could lead to an open-ended U.S. ground presence in the Middle East.

Cole noted that, while the House has “taken the first steps in considering” Obama’s measure by holding committee hearings “it is important that we continue to move in a swift manner to debate, consider and vote on legislation in response to the president’s request.”

“Certainly, opposition is to be expected, but that shouldn’t delay consideration of the issue or dialogue on the matter,” he added.

Cole, a deputy GOP whip, chided Democrats in particular, saying that Obama “lacks support from many within his own party, which essentially makes him a war president without a war party.”