Several senators are renewing a discussion that was stalled for some time regarding President Donald Trump’s legal authority to use military assets to target terrorist groups overseas.
On Monday, a group of bipartisan senators introduced a new legislation that is meant to update the authorization for the use of military force (AUMF). If the legislation is passed, it is going to replace the 2001 and 2002 bills that authorized the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and are still being used as legal basis for military action against terrorist groups.
“There have been a number of efforts over the years to update these authorities, and while there is still work ahead, I am pleased that we have reached an agreement on a product for the committee to consider,” Republican Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.
In addition to Corker, Democratic Senators Bill Nelson, Tim Kaine, Christopher Coons and Republican Senators Todd Young and Jeff Flake have expressed support for the bill.
The new legislation comes only days after President Trump launched his “precision” military strikes as a response to the chemical weapons attack in Syria. The bill does not mention that Trump has a legal authority to take action against Syrian President Bashar Assad or any other nation-state.
However, it is specified that a sovereign nation does not qualify as an “associated force.”
Additionally, to the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs, the new legislation allows Trump to use “all necessary and appropriate force” against al Qaeda, the Taliban and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
“Our proposal finally repeals those authorizations and makes Congress do its job by weighing in on where, when and with who we are at war,” Kaine added in a statement.
It is expected that this bill will draw criticism from Democratic lawmakers and outside groups because it permits Trump to take action against an associated terrorist group or use military action in a new country without congressional authorization.
According to ABC News, Trump would then need to notify Congress, who would under the legislation have 60 days to try to remove his authority to target the associated group or prohibit him from taking action in a specific country.
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