After Islamic terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, members of Congress wasted no time in giving then-President George W. Bush the authority to use military force against al-Qaida and similar organizations. At the time, Bush warned the war against terrorism would not be a short one.

Even President Barack Obama, who has criticized several of Bush’s actions in that war, believes the 2001 authorization should be left in place. Recently, he asked Congress for supplementary authority to fight a new terrorist group, the Islamic State.

But two lawmakers, Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., want to put a time limit on the 2001 measure. They have introduced a bill that would end the 2001 authorization in three years.

Cardin and Murphy say the 2001 action should not be left in place because doing so implies the United States is in a perpetual state of war. Well, it is – at least until Islamic terrorists are eliminated.

Lawmakers should keep the 2001 authorization in force – to avoid sending the terrorists the wrong message about Americans’ resolve.