Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


       Kerry, Carter to Testify in Hearing on Force Against Islamic State

   by VOA News

   Key members of resident Barack Obama's national security team are due
   to testify Wednesday as a Senate committee holds a hearing on his
   request to use force against Islamic State militants.

   Obama proposed last month an authorization of force that would last
   three years with limits on the use of ground troops, barring them from
   "enduring offensive ground combat."

   The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hear from Defense Secretary
   Ashton Carter, Secretary of State John Kerry and the Chairman of the
   Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey.

   The meeting is part of a long process toward any authorization, which
   would need to clear both the full Senate and House of Representatives.

   There has been pushback against the president's plan from Republicans
   who disagree with limiting the use of ground troops, as well as from
   Democrats who do not want to see the use of any forces on the ground.

   The U.S. military has been carrying out airstrikes since August in Iraq
   and since September in Syria as the lead in an international coalition
   against the militant group that seized large areas in both countries
   last year.

   So far, according to Pentagon data, the coalition has conducted more
   than 2,700 airstrikes against targets such as artillery and fighting
   positions, vehicles and storage facilities used by the militants.

   Obama has said those operations do not need any new authorization and
   are instead covered by a measure passed following the September 11,
   2011, terror attacks.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-carter-to-testify-in-hearing-on
   -use-of-force-against-islamic-state/2675485.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-carter-to-testify-in-hearing-on-use-of-force-against-islamic-state/2675485.html