Congress divided over US military action in Iraq

Julian Pecquet

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (R) talks to reporters after a closed-door Senate Armed Services Committee briefing on the Bergdahl prisoner swap at the U.S. Capitol in Washington June 10, 2014. The White House has been trying to appease angry lawmakers since U.S. President Barack Obama announced on May 31 that U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl had been exchanged for the five inmates from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RT — US Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., (R) talks to reporters after a closed-door Senate Armed Services Committee briefing on the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner swap at the US Capitol in Washington, June 10, 2014.

US lawmakers are deeply divided over whether to provide air support for the struggling Iraqi military in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), blunting the pressure on the White House to move swiftly.

While a habitual group of vocal interventionists called for immediate action on June 12, many key lawmakers proved reluctant despite rapid gains by ISIS, an al-Qaeda spin-off.

President Barack Obama said June 12 that his national security team is "looking at all the options" but would not commit to any course of action.

Several Republicans urged military intervention following reports that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has called for US strikes by drones and manned aircraft.

Congress divided over US military action in Iraq

Both Republicans and Democrats are split over whether the United States should use air power to assist Iraqi armed forces.

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