Ernst Statement on Authorization of Use of Military Forces against ISIS

Statement

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement after cosponsoring a joint resolution for the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State (ISIS) and its associated forces, which was introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

This AUMF would enable the President to use all necessary and appropriate force in order to defend the national security of the United States against terrorist organizations.

"For well over a year, ISIS has declared war on our nation and continues to threaten attacks against the American people, while committing devastating acts of terrorism across the globe.

"This AUMF is an important step toward achieving a serious bipartisan solution to destroy ISIS and those radicalized by them. Simply put, the AUMF gives President Obama the authorization to fully engage, defeat, and destroy ISIS, wherever they are.

"It is completely unacceptable that our Commander in Chief has failed to outline a comprehensive strategy to destroy ISIS. We must preserve the safety and security of the American people, and that starts with our President making a commitment to destroy ISIS."

Senator Ernst recently called for a renewed AUMF on MSNBC's Morning Joe, "We need to be more aggressive and that would include a comprehensive strategy coming from our President and coming from our Joint Chiefs. They can develop that strategy and we need to implement it. We need to grow our coalition. And we need to rely on those military experts. We as Congress, though, need to make sure that we have an AUMF, an Authorization of Use of Military Forces, which will direct our military on what they can or can't do as they go after ISIS the Middle East, and we need to get rid of sequestration in the military."

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