Kaine Statement On President Obama's Address On ISIL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs released the following statement in response to President Obama’s address on ISIL:

“Tonight President Obama made a strong case for the need to degrade and destroy ISIL. The President has worked to enlist partners, including key allies across the region, in this effort – a partnership that will be critical to its success.

“I support the President’s goal and believe he will receive broad support from the American people. I disagree with the President's assertion that he has all necessary legal authority to wage an offensive war against ISIL without Congressional approval. But the President does acknowledge the need for Congressional approval of his plan to support the Syrian opposition and invites broader Congressional support of the multinational effort to defeat ISIL. I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a narrow authorization for that mission. I believe Congress owes it to our servicemembers to do our collective job to reach a consensus in support of this military mission.”

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