White House sidesteps Paul’s war measure

The White House isn’t weighing in on Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) introduction of a measure declaring war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and authorizing military force against the terror group.

Press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday only that the Kentucky Republican was “not correct” to suggest that the current military action against ISIS is unconstitutional.

{mosads}”We have been very clear that the president has all of the authority that he needs because it’s already been given to him by Congress,” Earnest said. He pointed to the 2001 authorization for use of military force that gives the president the power to pursue the terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks.

“We’ve talked pretty extensively about the historical connection that ISIL has to the remnants of al Qaeda, and in some cases even an ongoing connection,” Earnest continued, using an alternative abbreviation for the group.

Paul, a potential 2016 presidential contender, introduced his measure on Wednesday and said the current “war is illegal until Congress acts pursuant to the Constitution and authorizes it.”

“I believe the president must come to Congress to begin a war and that Congress has a duty to act,” Paul added in a statement.

Despite breaking with Democrats on the legality of the current military operation, Paul has garnered some bipartisan support for his measure.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) told The Hill he would bring the measure forward if the White House supported it.

Earnest said the administration had not yet seen the details of Paul’s proposal, but noted Obama did support overhauling the existing authorization to specifically target ISIS-style groups.

“Conversations between members of Congress and high-ranking administration officials have already taken place, and I anticipate that they will continue in the next year,” Earnest said.