AUMF

The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) has kept the United States and much of the world in a perpetual state of war for nearly 18 years. On May 22, members of Congress and advocates participated in a press conference to call on Congress to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), prevent war with Iran, and reassert Congress’s constitutional authority on matters of war and peace.

Since 9/11, three U.S. presidents have used the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) and the 2002 Iraq AUMF to justify U.S. military action across the globe without congressional approval or effective oversight.

On April 16, a bipartisan group of senators led by Tim Kaine (D- VA) and Bob Corker (R- TN) introduced a new authorization for the use of military force in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While these senators have presented the AUMF 2018 as an opportunity for Congress to exercise more oversight over the executive branch, we believe this bill will extend the existing blank check for war.