Obama Requests Congress to Authorize Military Force Against Islamic State

President Barack Obama requested Congress to authorize military force against the Islamic State this week, marking the first time in 13 years that Congress will hold a war vote.

The president told members of Congress this week that it is important to seek military-level force against the Syria-based terrorist group to avoid attacks on the homeland.

"It threatens American personnel and facilities located in the region and is responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller," the president said of the Islamic State, referencing American hostages who were recently and brutally killed by the terrorist group. "If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland."

Lawmakers have provided different opinions on Congress's possible war authorization. Sen. Orin Hatch (R-Utah), recently suggested that the war authorization shouldn't be exclusive to the Islamic State but should also target the group's supporting terrorist organizations as well.

"Most importantly, the authorization should not impose any artificial and unnecessary limitations such as those based on time, geography and type of force that could interfere with our strategic objective of defeating Islamic State," Hatch said at a Senate meeting Monday.

Micah Zenko of the Council of Foreign Relations told The Guardian that Obama's request contrasts the type of diplomatic restraint that the president usually emphasizes.

"Politicians often describe their war aims with restraint, but the people who have to operationally conduct war like no restraints," Zenko said. "Obama has given everyone who will service in his administration the ability to prosecute this war in as expansive a manner as they choose."