Read the full text of Obama’s war authorization request to Congress
US President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the death of American journalist James Foley at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts Aug. 20, 2014.
The United States has been conducting a military campaign against the Islamic State (IS) since US fighter jets first launched air strikes on Aug. 8, 2014. But it wasn't until today that US President Barack Obama requested Congressional authorization to do so.
Obama's Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) — which his administration argues is not actually necessary for the United States to continue its ongoing battle against IS — expires after three years, rules out "enduring offensive ground combat operations," and repeals the 2002 AUMF that gave congressional approval to the Iraq War. (It leaves in place the AUMF that Congress passed on Sept. 14, 2001 authorizing the president to use military force against Al Qaeda and affiliated terrorist groups.)
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