Congress Dodging New War Powers Despite Growing US Intervention In Syria, Islamic State Fight

By DEB RIECHMANN | Associated Press | 5 hours, 14 minutes ago in Politics, Entertainment

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the battle against the Islamic State group, members of Congress talk tough against extremism, but many want to run for cover when it comes to voting on new war powers to fight the militants, preferring to let the president own the battle.

They might not be able to run for long.

The U.S. military intervention in Iraq and Syria is creeping forward, putting more pressure on Congress to vote on a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force. It would be the first war vote in Congress in 13 years.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a leading force in the Senate for a new authorization, said the reluctance to vote runs deep and that many in Congress prefer to criticize President Barack Obama's policy in Iraq and Syria without either authorizing or stopping the fight.

"There is sort of this belief that if we do not vote, we cannot be held politically accountable. We can just blame the president," Kaine said.

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http://www.newser.com/article/ff29d287d5a946d18fafaf4010d59778/congress-dodging-new-war-powers-despite-growing-us-intervention-in-syria-islamic-state-fight.html