This week in 2305: 2/9/15 - 2/13/15

A few topical items that might help put things in perspective - or not:

- So Far, a Congress About Nothing. The Republican Conference still appears to be difficult for party leaders to manage.

- Funding Is Still Elusive for Homeland Security. One of the areas of disagreement is in funding the Department of Homeland Security. Funding has been held up to pressure the president to undo executive decisions on immigration, but they've failed to gain traction. Principle tension seems to be between Republicans in the House and those in the Senate.

- White House Seeking Support Of Congress In Fight Against ISIS. A tug of war over how to go forward against the terrorist group:

The president has been asking Congress to pass an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS for months now, and for months Republicans in Congress have demanded that the White House draft the language. That language is now being finalized after numerous discussions between the White House and members of Congress from both parties, discussions requested by Congressional leaders.

- Here's the White House Request for the Use of Force Against the Islamic State. Click here for the document.

- Wikipedia: Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists. Here's some history. The president argues that this document still authorizes his ability to act if he chooses.

- Obama's big new resolution on ISIS is really about limiting presidential power. A look at the politics behind the effort to get Congress on board the battle against ISIS.

- House Passes Keystone Bill Despite Obama’s Opposition. The bill now goes to the Senate, but it is not considered likely to get the 2/3rds support to override a promised veto.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves use of military force

From the NYT:

A divided Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday approved an authorization of force against the Syrian government, setting up a showdown next week in the full Senate on whether President Obama should have the authority to strike.

The 10-to-7 vote showed bipartisan support for a strike, but bipartisan opposition as well.

. . . The approved resolution would limit strikes against the Syrian government to 60 days, with the possibility of 30 more days upon consultation with Congress, and it would specifically block the use of ground troops. But to retain the support of Mr. McCain, considered crucial to the authorization’s final passage, the committee toughened some of the language.

Jack Goldsmith compares the version of the AUMF passed by the committee with that proposed by the Obama Administration (courtesy of The Dish).

- Here is the administration's proposal.
- Here is what passed the committee