Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) will soon introduce legislation to authorize President Barack Obama to launch military airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria within Syria, his office announced Tuesday.
Obama has already authorized limited strikes against ISIS within Iraq and will reportedly consider whether to strike the group, which has reportedly killed two American journalists in the last month, in Syria as well. Nelson’s bill would give Obama the upper chamber’s approval for the latter action.
“This will ensure there’s no question that the president has the legal authority he needs to use airstrikes in Syria,” Nelson said in a statement. “Let there be no doubt, we must go after ISIS right away because the U.S. is the only one that can put together a coalition to stop this group that’s intent on barbaric cruelty.”
Nelson’s office said he plans to introduce the legislation as soon as possible once Congress returns from recess next week.
Steven Joel Sotloff, the second U.S. journalist reportedly killed by the group, grew up in Florida, Nelson’s home state, according to NBC News.