House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul said Monday that his committee is drafting legislation to green light U.S. military force in the Middle East if the conflict between Israel and Hamas becomes a wider proxy war with Iran.
McCaul’s comment, made during an interview with CNN, came as the White House announced President Joe Biden would travel to Israel and Jordan in an effort to calm tensions as the crisis deepens.
The Texas Republican wouldn’t say if the White House had asked his committee to draw up an official ‘Authorization of Use for Military Force,’ telling the network: ‘I don’t want to confirm that. It’s just that there is concern that – we, I’m currently, we’re currently drafting one in the event it’s necessary.’
He also told CNN he hoped the U.S. wouldn’t have to put boots on the ground.
‘I hope I never have to mark this bill up,’ McCaul said. ‘But we have a situation in the Middle East that’s growing day by day with intensity and if Hezbollah gets involved, Iran has already threatened if Gaza is, you know, if Israel goes, you know, if [Israel Defense Force] goes into Gaza that they’re gonna come out.’
