Obama to meet with congressional leadership on Iraq

WASHINGTON, June 17 (UPI) -- President Obama will consult with congressional leadership as he weighs action in Iraq, the White House said Tuesday.

"Tomorrow, the President will meet with Senate Majority Leader [Harry] Reid, Senate Minority Leader [Mitch] McConnell, Speaker [John] Boehner and Democratic Leader [Nancy] Pelosi at the White House as a part of his ongoing consultations with congressional leadership on foreign policy issues, including the situation in Iraq," an administration official said.

Sunni militants of the group Islamist State of Iraq and Syria have pushed across the border from Syria, taking control of several cities in northern Iraq and advancing on Baghdad, threatening to destabilize the region.

The president announced Monday he would send 275 troops to the country to protect U.S. citizens and property, particularly the embassy in Baghdad, and the Pentagon has deployed several warships to the region.

Lawmakers have been hammering the administration for moving unilaterally on a number of issues, including deportations of undocumented immigrants and the prisoner swap of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five Taliban detainees without giving Congress 30 days notice.

Under the War Powers Resolution, the president may use the military without Congress' consent, but requires notification within 48 hours. The president must remove troops within 60 days, unless Congress grants an extension.