White House Accuses GOP Congress of Shirking Anti-Terrorism Duties

“Now, finally, for more than a year, Congress has been AWOL on their responsibility to pass an Authorization to Use Military Force, which would demonstrate to our allies and to our enemies that the United States is united behind the effort to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL. More than 3,000 American servicemen and women will be away from their families this holiday season because they are implementing — they are in Iraq implementing our counter-ISIL strategy. They’re fulfilling their commitment to keep the country safe. It’s time for Congress to fulfill their commitment to keep the country safe, too. 

This effort is serious and should be the subject of serious debate. It will obviously take more than three weeks to pass an AUMF, but Congress in each of these cases must stop using the fact that these issues are difficult as an excuse for doing nothing. 

So over the course of the next three weeks, we’ll have an opportunity to do briefings like this; you’ll have a couple opportunities to ask questions of the President. And I think you can expect renewed attention on the part of the White House about these specific, tangible steps that Congress can take in the next three weeks that will actually enhance our national security.

And so, thank you for bearing with me on the long topper. Let’s go to your questions. Before we take questions in the room, I know the pool has dialed in —“