HARTFORD — As the United Kingdom prepares to vote on taking military action against ISIS, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) today called on the U.S. Senate to follow their lead, and vote to reauthorize war against ISIS before the end-of-the-year recess in December. Murphy is Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism. 

“We've taken dozens of votes to repeal Obamacare; we've held hours upon hours of hearings and multiple special investigations on Benghazi; we've devoted days of Senate floor time to blocking new administration rules on clean water and power. That is the majority's prerogative. But this Congress has so far failed to take a single vote on the war that is currently being fought against ISIS, or to truly debate how we confront this evil. As our allies in the UK prepare to debate and vote on their involvement in this battle, it is well past time that our own country do the same.

“Congress must declare war against ISIS. Each one of us first ran for office on the promise that we wouldn’t shy away from tough debates, but rather, would rise to the challenge the times demand. Now is the time to prove we meant it. Let’s do our jobs and authorize this war on ISIS.

“In order to win this war, we first need to start it.

“I understand my colleagues’ reticence to tackle such a complex debate. I know it’s easier to take a hands-off approach to this war and criticize the administration’s actions from afar. But I also know that if we learned anything from the terrorist attacks in Paris, it’s that strongly worded press releases are not enough to defeat this enemy. Congress needs to put some skin in the game.”

“There are many, myself included, who suspect the means and scope of force authorized in a declaration of war will differ from their preferred course. But the possibility of being outnumbered is no excuse for refusing to fulfill our constitutional obligations. That wouldn’t make us legislators, but cowards.

“Congress must make it clear to the people of this country and countries around the world that the United States is serious about confronting this serious threat. Before the members of Congress end this year's session and go home to our families for Christmas, we owe it to the American people to confront the threat posed by ISIS and authorize this fight.”

Murphy has strongly opposed deploying American troops to Syria. Earlier this year, Murphy introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prevent the United States from sending American ground troops to engage in the fight against ISIS in Iraq or Syria. He also introduced legislation with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) to sunset the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force that was passed in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and set out a three-year timeline that would allow Congress and the next President to review what is being accomplished, have appropriate consultations, and decide on a forward course of action. 

Murphy recently released new, forward-looking foreign policy principles to guide America’s role as a global leader in the 21st Century. The principles, which he introduced with U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), provide a clear alternative to the limited perspectives that often dominate American foreign policy conversations in the United States Senate.