Obama open to changes to military authority against Islamic State

Vice President Joe Biden listens as President Barack Obama speaks about the Islamic State group, Feb. 11, 2015, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. White House officials say President Barack Obama is open to negotiating with Congress on many elements of his request for war powers against the Islamic State group, including his proposed three-year time limit on U.S. military action and the use of American troops.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

By NEDRA PICKLER

The Associated Press

Published: February 23, 2015

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama is open to negotiating with Congress on many elements of his request for war powers against Islamic State militants.

That includes his proposed three-year limit on U.S. military action and the use of American troops. But the White House says Obama is firmly opposed to any geographic restrictions on where the U.S. military can pursue Islamic State militants.

After a weeklong holiday break, lawmakers return to Washington on Monday and start work on Obama's request.

The White House also now says if Congress approves a new authorization, Obama will no longer rely on the authority approved in 2001 to pursue the Islamic State group and instead solely rely on the new powers.

He's been using the 2001 authorization in the fight so far.