One year after the start of U.S. military operations to combat ISIL, Air Force Times notes that “lawmakers still haven’t authorized the fight.”  

“White House officials last year started airstrikes and military training work in Iraq under the legal logic that previous force authorizations covered the threat posed by Islamic State fighters. But administration officials relented somewhat earlier this year, sending a new authorization draft to Congress for consideration.”  

“Despite repeated promises from congressional leaders that the issue was a top priority for them, those drafts have been pushed aside amid extended debate over the new nuclear monitoring arrangement with Iran. Kaine said he is hopeful that Congress will still take up the work soon, but acknowledged it’s likely to be late September or October before talks even resume.”