Authorizing Ground Troops Against ISIS — Anytime, Anywhere (S. Joint Res. 29)

What is S. Joint Res. 29?

(Updated November 15, 2020)

This resolution would authorize the use of U.S. Armed Forces against the self-proclaimed Islamic State group (commonly known as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh) and its associates. It would not put in place any geographic limitations on carrying out armed force, so the military would be authorized by Congress to engage ISIS wherever they are located.

No time limits would be placed on the authorization to use military force against ISIS. Because this joint resolution allows the President to commit military forces for a limited time before Congressional authorization is required, it effectively bypasses the War Powers Resolution.

No limitations would be placed on the use of U.S. ground forces to combat ISIS, or one the ability of national security entities to disrupt online terrorist recruitment activities, communications, and propaganda.

Argument in favor

The U.S. needs to wage unrestricted war against ISIS if it wants to defeat the radical terror group. Prohibiting the use of ground forces, allowing ISIS to find security by crossing borders, or setting a time limit on military action will undermine the President's ability to lead a successful operation.

Argument opposed

This resolution would give the President unchecked authority to carry out military operations against ISIS — and could change the way Congress authorizes future military campaigns. Having U.S. ground troops deployed in any country that ISIS operates in, could create a war without end.

Impact

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the American public, Congress, and the President.

Cost of S. Joint Res. 29

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced this legislation to avoid restricting President Obama and his successor in their efforts to defeat ISIS:

“I think an AUMF, an authorization to use military force, that ties the president’s hands behind his back is not something I would want to do to a new president, who’s going to have to clean up this mess.”

Both the White House and Democrats in Congress have expressed concerns about the broad nature of this AUMF. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) believes it would weaken the role of Congress in voting to send U.S. troops to war:

“This resolution is a total rewrite of the War Powers Clause in the U.S. Constitution. It is essentially a declaration of international martial law, a sweeping transfer of military power to the president that will allow him or her to send U.S. troops almost anywhere in the world, for almost any reason, with absolutely no limitations.”

Of Note: The growth of ISIS throughout Iraq and Syria has left U.S. policymakers with difficult decisions to make in their efforts to stop, and ultimately eliminate the group's influence in the region. The CIA estimated in the fall of 2014 that ISIS had between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters.

Much of ISIS' notoriety in the U.S. comes from the beheadings of several Americans and the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities via military campaign. During the 113th Congress, two bills were introduced — one to end the AUMF against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and one to repeal the AUMF and declare war on ISIS — but neither was successful.

Beginning in August 2014, the U.S. began carrying out airstrikes in Iraq, started arming the Kurdish Peshmerga, and eventually lead airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria. By mid-May 2015, the U.S. had carried out over 3,000 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.

During this time, the number of American ground troops sent to Iraq has increased, with the first deployment raising troop levels to about 800 soldiers. Many of these soldiers were protecting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (which employs more than 5,000 people), and other diplomatic outposts.

By February 2015, total troop levels in Iraq topped 3,000 after several deployments of about 1,000 troops each. These personnel are primarily tasked with training the Iraqi army and the Kurdish Peshmerga, while defending U.S. diplomatic facilities. They are not engaging ISIS in ground combat, although some participated in the evacuation of the Yazidis from a mountain where they had been surrounded by ISIS fighters.

In October 2015, U.S. special forces participated in a raid in Syria that left one American serviceman dead. The Obama administration insists that the raid doesn't constitute a change in strategy towards a combat mission.

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