Senate Bill Would Update President’s Use-of-Force Authority to Combat Terrorism Abroad

A bipartisan group of senators has proposed legislation to provide the U.S. president with a new authorization regarding the use of military force abroad as part of the country’s fight against non-state terrorist groups.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee aims to discuss and vote on the AUMF proposal next week, according to a press release published Monday on Sen. Jeff Flake’s (R-Ariz.) website.

Congress has not updated the current legal authority that was passed by lawmakers shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks.

The bill would authorize the president to enforce “all necessary and appropriate force” in the U.S. fight against al-Qaida, Taliban and Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

Senators also proposed establishing a process for Congress to review the AUMF on a quadrennial basis through the legislation.

Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) led the introduction of the bill.

Flake sponsored the bill with Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).