Letter to John Boehner, Speaker of the House - Reconvene Congress in Wake of Strikes on ISIL

Letter

The Honorable John A. Boehner
Speaker of the House
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner,

I write today to urge you to immediately call the House into session to debate the authorization of the use of military force against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. With so much at stake for our nation and our allies around the world, it is simply unacceptable that the House remain on a nearly two-month recess as events unfold this week.

In his September 10, 2014 address to the nation on his strategy to respond to ISIL, President Obama said that "I believe we are strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together…so I welcome congressional support for this effort in order to show the world that Americans are united in confronting this danger." While the House did consider one limited aspect to the President's strategy against ISIL on a bipartisan basis last week -- providing limited statutory authority for the training of moderate Syrian forces under Title 10 -- the larger debate on the contours of the overall strategy, including the air strikes ordered earlier this week, was left untouched until we return on November 12.

Like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I strongly believe that it is critical for Congress to remain engaged in all aspects of this important national security issue. Instead of being home in our districts for the next several weeks, the House should be in session to consider an updated authorization for the use of military force to ensure that this chamber fulfils its duties as a coequal branch of our federal government with responsibility for the security of our nation.

Notably, earlier today Prime Minister Cameron recalled parliament for a session focused on the United Kingdom's response to requests for airstrikes against ISIL -- a debate that we should also be having in the House right now. In a stunning and disappointing contrast, however, you have now publicly announced that no debate or vote on the larger campaign against ISIL will take place until next year -- suggesting that while you believe that this issue is too important for the consideration of a post-election lame duck Congress, you do not at the same time believe it is important enough to call back the House today so that the elected representatives of the American people can fulfil their constitutionally-mandated duties.

I agree that our nation is strongest when the Congress and the President work together on issues like these, and now is not the time for the House of Representatives to be on the sidelines. I urge you to call the House back into session so that we can fully debate the response to ISIL and take the action necessary to ensure the input of the legislative branch and the American people in this important discussion.

Sincerely,

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