AUMF

Congress passed this law to clear the way for the U.S. intervention of Iraq and the toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime. Hussein was deposed in 2003 and executed three years later. And yet, the 2002 Iraq AUMF has remained in place.  

The executive branch has used the still active law to justify unrelated conflicts, but it appears the 2002 AUMF’s days are finally numbered.

On July 14, for the fourth time in as many years, the House voted to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (2002 Iraq AUMF). The move came as part of House floor consideration of the annual defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA.

FCNL applauds today’s House vote to repeal the outdated 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force against the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq.

This week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to repeal the two authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) that four presidents have used to justify more than 20 years of U.S. wars.

As concerns continue to develop over Russia’s attacks against Ukraine, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) has responded by introducing a new authorization for use of military force (AUMF), which would give President Biden authority to use force should Russia deploy chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.

Given the experience in Afghanistan, it’s clearer than ever the global war on terror has been an unmitigated humanitarian and strategic disaster.

Ultimately, Congress will need to repeal the law that allows these endless and ever-expanding wars: the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.

On this twentieth anniversary, I’m contemplating the fact that my country has been at war for the past two decades, nearly my entire life.

If anything, the last 20 years has taught us that endless wars are harming people and the planet as well as the generations that come after us. Today, it is our fervent hope that endless war will be no more.