By Rachel Oswald and JM Rieger

Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday the Obama administration wants Congress to approve an Authorization for Use Military Force that would specifically target Islamic State extremists — but without geographic limitations or restrictions on how the military might use ground forces. In an appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry emphasized that President Barack Obama still has no intention of deploying ground combat troops but doesn’t think the Senate should “preemptively bind the hands of our commander in chief” in responding to unexpected contingencies in combating the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. Kerry’s testimony suggests Obama will be seeking broader authority than congressional Democrats — and some Republicans — will be willing to approve.