Every day brings new U.S.-led bombardments on Islamic State positions in Iraq and Syria.But Washington is unusually quiet, as lawmakers campaign across the country ahead of midterm elections in November.House Speaker John Boehner says President Barack Obama does have authority to order military strikes against Islamic State, also known as ISIL.But he says Obama should bring Congress back to request a broad authorization from lawmakers.The president has not done that. He believes he has the authority under existing resolutions.I think he does have the authority to do it.But the point I have been making is that this is a proposal the Congress ought to consider.That point was echoed weeks ago by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez.Temporary and targeted air strikes in Iraq and Syria fall under the president's powers as commander-in-chief.But if the military campaign lasts for an extended period of time, which I gather it will,it is my belief Congress will need to approve an ISIL-specific authorization for the use of military force.Earlier this month, lawmakers approved one component of the president's military plan:equipping and training moderate Syrian rebels.The administration says Congress is free to do more on its own, as Secretary of State John Kerry recently reminded lawmakers.
