Kaine introduces measure to limit military against ISIS

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine has introduced a congressional resolution that would authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State, known as ISIS, but would prohibit using American ground troops.

Kaine has been a vocal opponent of President Barack Obama’s view that he can launch offensive military strikes against the terrorist group without congressional approval. The Virginia senator said Congress must not ignore its responsibility under the Constitution to decide when the U.S. should take offensive military action.

His resolution, if approved by Congress, would bar the use of ground troops except for rescue missions or “limited operations against high value targets.” It also would expire in a year unless renewed by Congress and would require the White House give legislators a list of groups that might be covered by the authorization because they are associated with ISIS.

His resolution is one of a handful proposed by senators that will likely be considered by Sen. Robert Menendez, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who has said the panel will soon draft language for a military authorization measure. Kaine is a member of the committee.

Kaine said Wednesday that he’s heard “overwhelming support personally and on the phone” from constituents that Congress must take a vote on military action.

However, people are not unified on whether Congress should vote in favor of going to war or to what degree the U.S. should be involved, he said.

Congress is not expected to take up his resolution or similar measures before its members start a month-long recess at the end of the week. Kaine said he would like the issue debated before the pre-election break. All House seats and many senators, including U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, are facing elections on Nov. 4.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Kaine said. “I’ve made the case to my colleagues that I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

He adds that there have been some “legit” arguments by those who want to delay the vote. Some point out the decision shouldn’t be made quickly, he said. Another point is that the election season will mean voters are going to be asking their legislators what they will do.

“It’s not like everybody gets to keep mum until November,” he said.

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