here to explain why the so-called a u umf is necessary are sthanie from the center f strategic and international ststudies and bill carter from the center for a new american security. welcome to the program, welcome ba. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> what is good about this request and what isn't? >> this comes on a heels of dozens of bills dropped in the last congress. it appears that congress is raring at the bit to talk about isis strategy and what the u.s. n do in thahat region. >> philip, you are a lyer. talk about the ratnale for this. is it necessary and does it open a pox of worms for the administration? le it catalyzes -- >> what is goois that it catalyzes the debate in ngress about t what our ends and means are. what is bad is that the bill is incredibly vague. it has a number of areas that leave wide room r interpretation about the nature of operations, who we are going after, where we are doing it, and for how long. >> does the president fundamentally need an aumf to do anything? we had one after 9/11. we had another one for iraq. is it absolutely necessary? >> the 2002 aumf specific

some conservatives are going to want a completely open -- open-ended umf. i don't think that will fly in congress. are we able to find a middle ground, language that the majority in the house and senate can live with? that's going to be a challenge. but i think that debate will begin in earnest probably over the course of the next couple of weeks. john: have you seen any change this week since the brutal execution of the jordanian pilot in how members of congas are talking about this upcoming debate on the authorization of use of military force -- congress are talking about this upcoming debate on the authorization of use of military force? rep. smith: isis has been brutal and inhumane for quite some time, so i wish i could say that is surprising, but given what they have done the brutal murders they have already done, i don't think it changes. it just reinforces the understanding of the threat. >> if i could -- craig: if i could shift to yemen, a country most americans aren't familiar with. the country has been a direct threat from al qaeda affiliates -- f

the senate democrats and the broad strokes of the new umf say they will rule out enduring offensive ground operations, will automatically sunset after three years and will replait the former aumf. the bill would authorize military action against isis and it's associated forces, and it would have no geographic limitations leaving the administration free to expand to other countries. it is expected to be delivered to august as early as tomorrow. >> i think it is a good discussion draft. i think it has a good limitation of three years that will place is beyond the presidential election. give the president a year whether or not he needs a different kind of authorization from congress. where i think there are improvements that have to be made, is it still have as very broad provision, and there is no sunset of the original aumf, and without that the president could say when the now authorization terminates he or she will rely on the old one. this is a real issue i think will have to be addressed. >> in fact that is precisely the legal argument made by the white house right now. they are engaged

and i think that's a big -- well, should be a big part of this umf as well. congress wants to give him the same or more broad authority that the 2002 had. >> look, we're going to have an open-ended military commitment to defeat isis, then we should be honest about that. michael steele is being honest about that, and i appreciate it. thank you. >>> it's presidents' day, and that means it's time to rank the best and worst presidents the country has had since its founding and also an opportunity to show you some great "saturday night live" clips. so stay tuned for that too. and a lot helping you. technology that's with you always. this is our promise. it's never been better to wander because wherever you go, you'll find us doing everything we can, so you can. [coughing] dave, i'm sorry to interrupt... i gotta take a sick day tomorrow. dads don't take sick days, dads take nyquil. the nighttime, sniffling sneezing, coughing aching, fever, best sleep with a cold medicine. they're coming. what do i do? you need to catch the 4:10 huh? the equipment tracking system wi

it also sunsets after three years, and it replaces a 2002 umf for operations in iraq. of course that occurred under former president george w. bush. now, some democrats will see this language. they will express concerns that it's not limited enough in scope. they're going to want to know what that term "enduring offensive ground operations" means. some republican whose have criticized president obama's strategy, said it's not defined clearly enough could find fault with some of this language. expressing concerns it is too limited in scope. they want to make sure that there are no limitations on geography and that timeline that three-year timeline could be another matter for debate. the white house has consistently said they want this language to be bipartisan. so this is a real attempt to try to get democrats and republicans onboard, but jose like all things here in washington, this is going to be a robust debate. i expect that you won't see this pass until spring. maybe even the summer. jose? >> let me ask you about the decision to close the u.s. embassy in yemen. wha

some conservatives are going to want a completely open-ended umf. i don't think that will fly in congress. are we able to find a middle ground, language that the majority in the house and senate can live with? that's going to be a challenge. but i think that debate will begin in earnest probably over the course of the next couple of weeks. john: have you seen any change this week since the brutal execution of the jordanian pilot in how members of congress are talking about this upcoming debate on the authorization of use of military force? representative smith: isis has been brutal and inhumane for quite some time, so i wish i could say that is surprising but given what they have done, the brutal murders they have already done, i don't think it changes it. it just reinforces the understanding of the threat. craig: if i could shift to yemen, a country most americans aren't familiar with. the u.s. government has said for some time that they are actually the most direct threat to the homeland from terrorist groups from al qaeda in the arabian peninsula

is important to talk about the umf and the term associated for forces will not appear anywhere in it x that is a gloss upon gloss that the 2011 aumf. and they would use an appropriate force again the nation's organizations or persons. he determined planned authorized committed or aided those for september 11th and harbored the organizations of persons in order to prevent a future act of enter national terrorism. that was used very very broadly. that is one of the concerns and um. i think that the president has realized that to stretch it into attacking an organization that didn't even exist in 2001 operating in a country that was at least partially stable in 2001 is quite the stretch. i think that is why we have a new authorization that was brought forward to cover the isil situation. so that is a matter for the more than foreign relations committee. and 2001 has been stretched very far i am frankly one who is glad to see that the president has brought forward a new authorization count or terrorism. we think of killing people. and striking and intercepting the communications and dron

so they are grateful for our leadership, grateful for our willingness to act and i believe this a umf which is specifically tailored to isil with the strong support of congress gives not just the president the options that are necessary ultimately to deal with this new and unique threat but also reinforces the image of american leadership that is, i think, so deeply wanted by our partners and so deeply needed for this country and ultimately by the coalition to deal with isil the way we want to. >> i understand that. and it is limited to three years? >> that's right. >> would you agree that our success in iraq in dealing with isil very much depends upon the sunni tribes taking a leadership role in stopping the advancement of isil? it is difficult for this year, western forces to be able to get the type of confidence in the committee to withstand the recruitment of isil? >> i put it slightly differently. i agree, but i think it takes decisive sunni leadership as well and that is coming together, but the tribes we will be essential to the outcome command your question is correct. >> what

the president is sending us and a umf to use military force in the middle east. he wants us to work with him and we are going to work with him. today we are sending you the keystone pipeline approval bill, and we're asking him to work with us. that is how it works. but most importantly, work with us to build energy, energy security, for this country so that we don't have to import oil from opec, or from the middle east. that is what the american people want. he called the president today to work with us on this important legislation. let's build the right kind of future for this country, to secure energy future. thanks. [applause] >> thank you all. thank you, senator hoven. we had the opportunity to work together on in north dakota. we cited the original keystone pipeline. not one into that had to be condemned. 216 miles through our state nine counties, several pumping stations two rivers. we know how to get energy infrastructure dealt in a way that protects the environment, protects people, and acts as energy security. create good paying jobs, jobs that pay thre

-- this a umf -- aumf? >> i think it's very important.he united states has exerted great leadership in bringing together these countries ultimately to support the restoration of the situation in iraq, its sovereignty and ultimately to help to deal the defeat daesh. isil is a threat that is unique in our time and certainly unique in the time that i have been in the service and while the elements of the aumf will be treated by this administration and many of the members have brought up important points for clarity or for continued discussion, i think that's extraordinarily important, the message that it sends, that the administration is in a constant conversation and dialogue. but most importantly in support of the u.s. leadership globally on this issue, a strong bipartisan vote to support the aumf compliments the leadership that the united states has exerted in this crisis. >> thank you. both our adversaries and our allies need to speak with one voice here. >> exactly. >> is there one that is more important in that regard or equally import

i do think the president should request a umf authorization to go to battle, because the old ones are old. we did not even have isis the last time we passed one here. so the question is, is it the right kind of plan? so if it is one that i think is commonsense, it makes sense, it provides for america, taking the leadership role, or at least a strong supportive role of other nations who are in a coaltion and have agreed to go up against isis, yes, i will support it. but if it is the same kind of nonsense, i cannot support it. host: do you still have your private medical practice? guest: i do. we have another physician there and three nurse practitioners. my plan all along has been that i would periodically go back and see patients. i did for a while, but i have not lately. it has been very difficult, as busy as we are in washington. even when i am in louisiana, i am traveling throughout my district. they tell us that we cannot have a part-time job. i do not know how i would have the time for a part-time job it has been very difficult, as busy as we are in washington. even when i am in

the language of the a umf limits in during ground offensive. it is up to interpretation as to what that means. interpretation is we do not want to be embroidered in a ground war. host: to ensure that does not happen, he has put in a limitation of three years. this authorization for the use of military force shall terminate three years after the date of enactment of this joint resolution, unless reauthorized. guest: whoever is president next would have to have this discussion again. it has been said what he is trying to do is set up a national conversation about what is the appropriate role of the united states and targeting these terrorist groups. democrats counter with the 2001 aumf, the point is muoot. jack goldsmith wrote a blog post over the weekend, noting that in his interpretation, they could send as many ground troops as they want. while it is not politically feasible, if you look at the letter of the aumf, they could. host: it does not limit the president geographically, the 2001, neither does the 2015 language that the president sent

but what makes isis so powerful what gives it such an umf on twitter around on social media is the hundredsally affiliated with isis but who are pushing the message forward. we call them "fan boys." the problem with the counternarrative, problem with the countercampaign is while maybe the state department can put out a couple of things it doesn't have the umph it doesn't have that grassroots following. >> all right. thank you so much for being on show. peter newman, thank you. >>> up next don't look now but there is an energy revolution happening in neshg. we'll introduce you to one texas town at the heart of this boom and the men and women who are on the front lines. their stories next. woman: it's been a journey to get where i am. and i didn't get here alone. there were people who listened along the way. people who gave me options. kept me on track. and through it all my retirement never got left behind. so today, i'm prepared for anything we may want tomorrow to be. every someday needs a plan. let's talk about your old 401(k) today. if you're running a business legalzoom has your back. o

i do think the president should request a umf authorization to go to battle because the old ones are old. we did not even have isis the last time we passed it here. so the question is, is it the right kind of plan? if it is one that i think is common sense, it makes sense, it provides for america, taking the leadership role, or at least a strong supporter role of other nations who agreed to go up against isis yes, i will support it. but it'd fit is -- but if it is the same kind of nonsense, i cannot support it. host: do you still have your private medical practice? guest: i do. we have another physician there and three nurse practitioners. my plan all along has been that i would periodically go back and see patients. i did for a while, but i have not lately. it is very difficult, as busy as we are in washington. even when i am in louisiana, i am traveling throughout my entire district area they tell us that -- throughout my entire district. they tell us that we cannot have a part-time job. i do not know how i would have the time for a part-time job being in congress. host: john, demo

as far as the a umf that particular issue i think is critical for us to make sure that we get it rightt we look at how we are addressing those issues. not only in the short term of the long-term. and looking at it across the board, i think that having a very, very specific strategy on what we need to do and how we need to do it needs to be part of the debate. and when you talk about the difference between a ums -- aumf and the declaration of war and aumf is a step below declaration of war. the president can direct the military to do that, but he is limited to a certain amount of time. about 180 days. at that point, congress is supposed to take action. there has not been a formal declaration of war since world war ii. we have been in a lot of conflict in the meantime, so there is always a tension between the executive branch and the legislative branch as to what the exact direction is within the war power. i think in this situation, everyone is in agreement that we must have a today, we must make a decision on what authorization use of military force is to give the president the legisla

the president has finally given us a draft umf that may actually limit our engagement in the region. so i look forward to a row bust debate here in our committee on it. but i firmly believe that no matter what happens with the aumf solving the problem of isil cannot happen without simultaneously solving the problems of assad, and iran and the partnership continues syria will be a terrorist breeding ground and we will never be victorious that way. a big part of the administration's isil strategy is to train and equip a program that seeks to enhance the capability of moderate syrian opposition leaders yet mr. chairman that program hasn't really started yet. the administration has said these fighters will be trained for defensive not offensive action and we're not engaging the assad regime directly. only isil i worry that this policy is not going to be victorious. thank you. >> my prayers are with her loved ones at this time as i think all of us on the committee feel very strongly about. along with kay la, our country has lost james foley, steven sot love peter casic. while our allies o

it is fair for you and your viewers to assume the reason the president is seeking this right sized a umf is because of his desire to see congress act in support or at least demonstrate their support for the strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy. >> and will they be defeated cuemack's. >> i think we we have been pretty clear about the fact that this -- what we are looking at is a long-term challenge and the president has been pretty forthright about that. there are a couple of reasons for that, and the most important is that ultimately this is not a situation where it is the united states alone that is at war. this is a broader effort that involves the entire international community and that is focused on ensuring that they're are local capabilities that are built up to take the fight to them on the ground. the president does not believe it is any longer in our national security interest for us to put a a large deployment of american military personnel on the ground in a combat role. what we need to do -- >> no one is advocating that. we hear that from the administration, a large dep