Top Dem: ISIS bill should rule out combat operations

Congress should specify that new funding to fight Islamic militants cannot be used for combat operations, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee said Wednesday.

{mosads}Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said lawmakers reconvening for the lame-duck session should consider putting such language in President Obama’s $5.6 billion request for additional funding to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“The president has said they’re not for combat operations, but a lot of us would like to see that in the law,” Van Hollen said Wednesday morning on MSNBC.

The White House announced late last week it would seek the additional funding as an amendment to its original request in June of $58.6 billion for fighting ISIS. 

Defense officials said earlier this week that an additional 1,500 U.S. troops to serve in an advisory role in Iraq would not be deployed until Congress approves the funds.

Van Hollen said lawmakers want to avoid a “slippery slope” of getting U.S. forces reengaged in combat operations in Iraq.

Separately, Democrats have called for a vote on using military force against ISIS.