Obama to Congress: I have authority to take action against ISIS
President Barack Obama speaks at a news conference at the NATO summit at Celtic Manor, Newport, Wales, Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
President Obama told congressional leaders Tuesday that he has the authority he needs to take on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS, also known as ISIL), according to the White House.
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Press Secretary Josh Earnest offered few details about what exactly the president will say Wednesday.
The president met with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Nev., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., ahead of a speech to the nation on his plan to deal with the Islamic militant group planned for Wednesday night.
"The president told the leaders that he has the authority he needs to take action against ISIL in accordance with the mission he will lay out in his address tomorrow night. He reiterated his belief that the nation is stronger and our efforts more effective when the President and Congress work together to combat a national security threat like ISIL," the White House said in a statement.
Mr. Obama also told the leaders he would welcome actions by Congress "that would aid the overall effort and demonstrate to the world that the United States is united in defeating the threat," the statement said.
The leaders did not speak with reporters outside the White House after the meeting and offered scant details on what the president told them. Reid merely said the president gave a preview of the speech that everyone would hear Wednesday night. Pelosi said the session offered a"valuable opportunity for consultation on advancing security and stability in the region and beyond."
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The House speaker explained to reporters what he hopes to hear from the president Wednesday during remarks in which hes expected to lay out plan...
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Obama to Congress: I have authority to take action against ISIS