Obama, Congress may find common ground on fighting Islamic State
President Obama and Republican lawmakers are renewing efforts to officially authorize the fight against Islamic State terrorists, an issue that could become one of the earliest areas of cooperation between the White House and the new GOP-led Congress.
Meeting with a bipartisan group of congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday, Obama suggested Republicans and Democrats might be able to work together on the economy and national security, and both sides were poised to work on the details of a new authorization for military force.
After months of little action, the potential step forward could ultimately end the reliance on Sept. 11-era laws to wage war against a new generation of militants in the Middle East.
Obama welcomed lawmakers' interest, "a clear signal of support for our ongoing military operations," a White House official said Tuesday night, requesting anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting.
The nod toward collaboration came during the first major sit-down meeting since the GOP assumed control of the House and Senate. Both sides pledged to work together, mentioning cybersecurity as another opportunity to join forces.
Still, the room was not in lockstep. Obama asked lawmakers not to pass tough new sanctions against Iran that he believes would derail the diplomatic talks on the country's nuclear program. He also made a pitch for a federal investment in infrastructure to boost the economy and create jobs.
From the other side, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) expressed disappointment that Obama had already issued a veto threat on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, but was optimistic they could work together on cybersecurity.
As lawmakers gathered around the conference table of the White House Cabinet Room, the fight against Islamic State was one agenda item that appeared primed for debate.
When Obama authorized airstrikes in Iraq and Syria last year, Congress was initially reluctant to wade into a war debate. But the mood among lawmakers shifted, and they began demanding a vote on the issue. Many think the administration should no longer rely on the decade-old war authorizations.
House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) has repeatedly insisted that any effort to draft a new force resolution must begin with the White House, saying such measures historically have come from the executive branch. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took a slightly different view, telling CNN in December that he would prefer the White House take the lead but that "we're not going to wait forever."
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Obama, Congress may find common ground on fighting Islamic State