Wolf introduces bill to authorize use of military force against international terrorist groups

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), who represents part of Prince William County/Manassas area, has introduced legislation authorizing the use of military force against international terrorist groups.

This includes the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al Qaeda and its affiliates, like al Nusra, Ansar al Sharia, al Shabaab and Boko Haram, while encouraging close coordination with NATO and regional allies on any action.

Wolf said he was compelled to introduce the measure because of the rapid advances made by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as well as territorial gains made by al Qaeda-affiliated groups in Libya, Nigeria and Somalia.

Long recognized as one of Congress’ leading defenders of human rights around the globe, Wolf has been speaking out for months about the threat from ISIS to religious minorities as well as the potential threat to the U.S. homeland. 

He was among the first to call what was happening to the Christian and Yazidi population in Iraq “genocide” and took to the House floor for seven straight legislative days leading up to the August recess to urge the president to take action.

Wolf said the motive behind the bill is to end any ambiguity about the president’s authority – or the Congress’ support – for a U.S.-led international coalition to disrupt and eliminate ISIS and al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups from committing genocide. 

His Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) would be the first approved by the Congress since the 2001 and 2002 resolutions authorizing military force against al Qaeda and the Taliban and against Saddam Hussein’s regime, and would fill in the gaps from past authorizations to deal with the current terrorist threat, including regional al Qaeda-affiliates who at times try to obfuscate the extent of their relationship with al Qaeda leadership.

Wolf said passage of his bill would send a clear message to the international community that the United States intends to work with allies to confront and defeat this increasingly dangerous challenge.