The push to authorize the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is getting a boost in the Senate.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (R-Ky.) fast-tracked a wide-ranging authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) from Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Senate Democrats' campaign arm announces seven-figure investment to boost Graham challenger Graham: Comey to testify about FBI's Russia probe, Mueller declined invitation MORE (R-S.C.) to the Senate calendar on Thursday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The procedural move lets the bill skip over the Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.), who chairs the committee, has suggested that a new AUMF was unlikely to happen and that President Obama currently has the legal authority he needs.

Graham's legislation hasn't been scheduled for floor time, but the South Carolina Republican said Thursday that a debate should happen "as soon as possible."

"Everybody needs to stand up and be counted here," he told reporters. "If the Democrats don't want to give this to Obama, then stand up and tell me why. ... There may be some people running for president as Republicans who don't want this. I would be astonished that anybody seeking to be commander in chief wouldn't want this power."

But the South Carolina Republican, who ended his presidential campaign last month, added that he hasn't spoken to McConnell about trying to get floor time.

The Republican leader has previously expressed concerns about taking up a war bill that would limit Obama, or his successor, from being able to go after terrorist organizations.

"I think an AUMF, an authorization to use military force, that ties the president's hands behind his back is not something I would want to do to a new president, who's going to have to clean up this mess,” he told ABC's "This Week."

Graham's proposal wouldn't place a geographic limit on U.S. military operations against ISIS, with the South Carolina Republican saying it would allow the administration to fight the terror group "wherever, whenever, and however."

It also wouldn't have an expiration date and would not prohibit the president from placing boots on the ground to fight ISIS.

Corker said Thursday that if a war bill can get broad consensus and is "constructive" in defeating ISIS then he might "take that up for consideration."

"The challenge remains that any new AUMF must have enough bipartisan support to become law, show that our country is united over confronting ISIS, and ensure the president retains the necessary authority to defeat ISIS," he added.

Corker, who has not officially signed on to the war bill, said that he has "been in constant communication" with McConnell on the issue and "there is no daylight between us on what would be needed to actually take up and pass an AUMF.”

Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineBiden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states Second GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Va.), a vocal advocate for Congress to pass new legislation, said Thursday that "it looks like the body is finally waking up to the reality of the threat."

"We owe it to the thousands of troops deployed in this dangerous mission to craft an authorization that expresses our support for their sacrificial service," he added.

Kaine introduced a narrower AUMF proposal last year with Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeRepublican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style Bush endorsing Biden? Don't hold your breath MORE (R-Ariz.). The Virginia Democrat would likely use a potential debate on Graham's proposal to push his legislation.

The broad nature of Graham's proposal would likely face pushback from Democrats and some libertarian-leaning Republicans.

Democrats have voiced strong skepticism over an AUMF that doesn't explicitly rule out ground troops over concerns about being ensnared in another Middle East war.

Sen. Chris Murphy Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDemocratic senator calls for 'more flexible' medical supply chain to counter pandemics The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon GOP chairman to release interim report on Biden probe 'in about a week' MORE (D-Conn.) said that while he welcomes a debate on a war bill, the wide-ranging legislation would "repeat the deadly, costly mistakes of the past."

"This resolution is a total rewrite of the war powers clause of the United States Constitution. Let's be clear about that," he added. "It is essentially a declaration of international martial law, a sweeping transfer of military power to the president that will allow him or her to send U.S. troops almost anywhere in the world for almost any reason with absolutely no limitations."

Murphy, as well as Sens. Tom Udall Thomas (Tom) Stewart UdallLWCF modernization: Restoring the promise OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency MORE (D-N.M.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), tried to get a ban on the use of ground troops against ISIS included in an annual policy bill last year.

The administration suggested Thursday that while Obama backs Congress passing an ISIS-specific war bill and will review and work with lawmakers on Graham's proposal, it's concerned about the broad nature of the legislation.

"We certainly welcome Republicans taking an interest in specifically authorizing the continued use of military force against [ISIS]," said Brandi Hoffine, a White House spokeswoman.

"However, the President has also been clear from the beginning that we will not be engaging in the type of armed conflict that we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that remains the case."

This story was updated at 4:30 p.m.