WASHINGTON
A Senate committee on Thursday approved new authorizations for the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
The Authorization for the Use of Military Force passed the Foreign Relations Committee by a 10-to-8 vote with no Republicans voting for the measure.
Committee chairman, Sen. Robert Menendez, said the new powers limits military operations against the terror group to three years; mandates that the administration provide updates every 60 days; and it does not allow U.S. combat troops to be deployed in the fight, except in specific instances such as intelligence activity or the rescue and protection of U.S. personnel.
Committee Republicans strongly opposed the three-year time limit and the possibility of deploying ground troops.
Secretary of State John Kerry asked Congress on Tuesday for expanded legal authorization to battle ISIL, including the use of ground troops and with no geographical limitations.
ISIL controls large areas of Iraq and Syria as the US leads an international coalition that has carried out more than 1,200 airstrikes against the terror group since the militants overran Mosul, in northern Iraq, in June.
The operations have cost more than $1 billion.
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