Jones and McGovern Urge Speaker Boehner to Allow Full Debate on ISIS War | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and Congressman James P. McGovern sent a letter to Speaker Boehner calling for him to schedule a full debate when President Obama submits a request for the use of military force to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria in the coming days. In the letter, Congressmen Jones and McGovern note that when the last authorization for the use of military force was brought to the House floor for debate on October 8, 2002, the House gave full attention to the joint resolution and debated the contents for over 26 hours over three full days. Congressman Jones issued the following statement:

    "Congress must uphold its constitutional duty to authorize the use of our military," said Congressman Jones. "When President Obama submits his request for the use of military force against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, I urge Speaker Boehner to schedule adequate time for a proper debate about it on the House floor."

    "For too long, Congress has abdicated its most basic constitutional duties - to deliberate and vote on issues of war and peace," Rep. McGovern said. "That needs to stop. I am proud to join with my friend Walter Jones in this bipartisan effort."

    Last September, when the president started conducting airstrikes against ISIS and arming Syrian rebels, Congressman Jones sent a letter to Speaker Boehner asking for a full debate on an authorization for the use of military force in the region.

    Last July, Congressman Jones introduced H. Con. Res. 105 to prohibit the deployment of U.S. armed forces in a sustained combat role in Iraq without congressional authorization. The resolution passed with 370 votes.

    Last August, Congressman Jones, Congressman McGovern, and Congresswoman Lee formed a bipartisan coalition to urge the House Foreign Relations Committee to draft an authorization regarding Iraq and Syria. They also urged Speaker Boehner to bring up the authorization for a debate and a vote before Congress recessed at the end of September.

    Maria Jeffrey
      Communications Director

    Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)

     2333 Rayburn House Office Building
     Washington, DC 20515

     Maria.Jeffrey@mail.house.gov  •  (202) 225-3415is absolutely senility.