Senate

Nelson: Senate shouldn’t adjourn

by Ramsey Cox - 09/18/14 12:25 PM ET

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said senators shouldn’t go home to campaign for reelection at a time of war.

“I don’t think we should adjourn and go home with matters of war and peace in front of us,” Nelson said on the Senate floor Thursday. “We need to be talking about war and peace.”

{mosads}After the Senate passes a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through Dec. 11 on Thursday, it will adjourn for more than 50 days so that senators can campaign ahead of the midterm elections.

Included in the CR is the authorization to train and arm vetted Syrian rebels to help fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Nelson said he supported that effort but that more should be done. He has called for the passage of a military use of force authorization.

“I think it’s a mistake for us to go home,” Nelson said. “I think it sends a very bad message.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said the Senate would wait until after the elections to take further action against ISIS.

Tags Bill Nelson ISIS Islamic State in Iraq and Syria Syria