SHAHEEN STATEMENT FOLLOWING BRIEFING ON ISIL

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after attending a briefing on the President’s strategy for defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL):

“While I recognize that the President has some existing authorities to target ISIL, I strongly believe he should come to Congress to get the authorization and bipartisan political support that will be required for the long-term fight to destroy these terrorists. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I support the Chairman and Ranking Member’s intention to draft a tailored Authorization for the Use of Military Force, and I intend to work with them in this effort.

“We in Congress owe it to the American people, and particularly to the men and women who will be engaged in the effort to defeat ISIL, to debate these important issues.”