Congress’ dereliction of duty in failing to act on the Obama administration’s request for an Authorization for Use of Military Force in the campaign against the Islamic State is becoming more glaring with news of the fall of Ramadi in Iraq, a major city less than 100 miles west of Bagdhad.

In seeking congressional involvement, President Obama sought a balance between providing the latitude he and his generals need for effective military action, while avoiding parameters so broad that they allow the executive branch to expand the U.S. military commitment beyond what Congress will support.

As presented to Congress by the White House, it would have precluded “enduring offensive ground combat operations” but would give the president the ability to authorize special operation forces to target ISIS leaders, conduct rescue missions and help in targeting air attacks. It would sunset after three years unless extended by Congress.

Ironically, after years of complaining that President Obama abuses executive authority, the Republicans in control of the House and Senate have taken no action since the president sought direction from Congress three months ago. Apparently, it is OK to let the president take full ownership when the challenge is as difficult, uncertain and politically perilous as figuring out how to stop the Islamic State without drawing the nation into another war.

On such an important matter, however, the nation would benefit from a unification of purpose and strategy. To his credit, Connecticut Second District Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney has repeatedly called for congressional action to pass an authorization bill. With Congress sitting it out, the Obama administration will continue to use the overly broad and open-ended authority his predecessor was given by authorizations approved in 2001 and 2003 to combat terrorists groups.

The current strategy calls for using American air power in support of “friendly” rebels in Syria and the Iraqi Army in Iraq to stop and rollback Islamic State advances. But the undisciplined retreat by Iraqi forces from Ramadi, again leaving weaponry behind for the Islamic State military force, raises more doubts about that approach.

Further complicating matters, the conflict increasingly has the appearance of a Sunni versus Shiite civil war. The American public is in no mood to see U.S. involvement accelerate, which is why Congress should set parameters. Shamefully, it remains unwilling to do so, even when the president asks for them.