Democrats Want Iraq Force Measure to Define Area of Combat Operations

Democrats in the US Congress want more details spelled out before supporting any authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) in Iraq, House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said at her weekly press briefing.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Thursday afternoon, the amendment to vote on a new AUMF was defeated on the House floor.

“We would like clarification on the terms of scope and maybe geography [that the authorization would cover],” Pelosi said on Thursday.

“My understanding is that Republicans don’t think this gives the President as much power, unlimited almost, they would like to give the President.”

US President Barack Obama sent a draft war powers authorization to Congress in February 2015, which would prohibit the US armed forces from engaging in long-term offensive ground combat operations.

“When the President did that, nothing happened,” Pelosi concluded. “So, we still continue to say as we go forward to we need to have an AUMF.”

The draft AUMF was produced after the US-led Coalition of some 60 nations began airstrikes against the Islamic State in August 2014.

House Democrats have been pressing Speaker John Boehner on the issue, which he has continued to delay.

On June 4, 2015, Boehner said via Twitter that Obama needs to draft a new AUMF in order better prepare the United States in its fight against the Islamic State.