Obama Proposes War Authorization Against Islamic State

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is asking Congress to formally authorize war against Islamic State militants, offering a draft resolution that says the Islamic State "poses a grave threat."

The president is sending Congress a proposed three-page authorization for military force. A copy was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press from congressional officials.

Obama would limit authorization to three years, with no restriction where U.S. forces could pursue the threat. Obama's proposal bans "enduring offensive combat operations," an ambiguous term intended as compromise between lawmakers who want authority for ground troops and those who don't.

Obama is proposing to end a 2002 authorization for war in Iraq. But his draft remains silent on 2001 legislation against al-Qaida in Afghanistan.

(Story by: David Espo, Nedra Pickler, The Associated Press)