releases: https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7E7CB600-698D-4DD4-8983-B52764926CF9
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7E7CB600-698D-4DD4-8983-B52764926CF9 | Graham Calls On Obama To Support AUMF | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | SC | Lindsey Graham | G000359 | www.lgraham.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has written to President Obama urging him to support the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) Graham introduced last week. Unlike some other proposals, my Joint Resolution does not place artificial constraints on you, and your successors, as the commander-in-chief, wrote Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Instead, it allows for the use of military force, including the use of U.S. ground troops, wherever, whenever, and however needed to destroy this terrorist organization. Placing artificial limitations on the authorization would be seen as a sign of weakness by ISIL and a lack of resolve by our allies. In his letter, Graham highlights the threat al Qaeda posed to U.S. national security following the 9/11 attacks. There should be little question that the threat posed by ISIL is no less than the threat posed by al Qaeda prior to the terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people on September 11, 2001, said Graham. Therefore, the AUMF that we send to you needs to provide the commander-in-chief the same authority we gave President George W. Bush after these attacks. We must counter this threat and send a clear message to the ISIL terrorists: we will hunt you down and kill you no matter how long it takes, writes Graham. You are not safe anywhere. The destruction of ISIL must be a top national security priority, said Graham. My AUMF provides the latitude required to destroy ISIL and any of its successor organizations, using the full power of our military. I urge you to work with Congress to pass this AUMF immediately. A copy of the letter ishereand text of the letter is below. ### December 8, 2015 The Honorable President Barack Obama President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama: Last week I introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to defend the national security of the United States against the threat posed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and to give you, and future Presidents, the power necessary to destroy ISIL. Unlike some other proposals, my Joint Resolution does not place artificial constraints on you, and your successors, as the commander-in-chief. Instead, it allows for the use of military force, including the use of U.S. ground troops, wherever, whenever, and however needed to destroy this terrorist organization. Placing artificial limitations on the authorization would be seen as a sign of weakness by ISIL and a lack of resolve by our allies. There should be little question that the threat posed by ISIL is no less than the threat posed by al Qaeda prior to the terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people on September 11, 2001. Therefore, the AUMF that we send to you needs to provide the commander-in-chief the same authority we gave President George W. Bush after these attacks. ISIL poses a serious threat to our regional allies, our partners, and our homeland. We must counter this threat and send a clear message to the ISIL terrorists: we will hunt you down and kill you no matter how long it takes. You are not safe anywhere. The destruction of ISIL must be a top national security priority. Their reign of terror, which includes the systematic murder of countless men, women, and children, has expanded beyond the borders of Iraq and Syria and into Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and France. My AUMF provides the latitude required to destroy ISIL and any of its successor organizations, using the full power of our military. I urge you to work with Congress to pass this AUMF immediately. Sincerely, Lindsey O. Graham United States Senator | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |