Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Amendments to Prevent War in Iraq
Washington, D.C. –Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced four amendments to the 2015 Department of Defense appropriations bill to prevent a war in Iraq, prevent future funding for combat operations in Afghanistan and to prevent funding for the Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF).
“We must not let history repeat itself in Iraq. Because the reality is there is no military solution in Iraq. This is a sectarian war with long standing roots that were flamed when we invaded Iraq in 2003. And, after more than a decade of war, thousands of American lives lost, and billions of dollars spent, the American people oppose another military escalation in the Middle East. Further, any lasting solution must be political and take into account respect for the entire Iraqi population.”
The specific amendments include:
No funding for combat operations in Iraq
Consistent with the President’s assurances that he will not send U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq, this amendment clarifies no funding in the bill can be used for combat operations. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for deploying members of the Armed Forces on the ground in Iraq for purposes of engaging in combat operations.
No funding for 2002 Iraq AUMF
This amendment prohibits funding for the use of force pursuant to the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq. The FY2015 DOD Appropriations bill does not include funding for operations pursuant to the Iraq AUMF. None of the funds made available under this Act may be obligated or expended pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
No funding for combat operations in Afghanistan
Consistent with the President’s announcement that the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan will end in December 2014, this amendment clarifies no funding for any combat operations after that date. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for the purpose of conducting combat operations in Afghanistan after December 31, 2014.
No funding for 2001 AUMF
This amendment prohibits funding for the use of force pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, or AUMF, effective on December 31, 2014, when the last American combat troops will rotate out of Afghanistan and the responsibility for security will have passed to the Afghan people.
As the only member of Congress to vote against the 2001 AUMF, shortly after the attacks on 9/11, Congresswoman Lee has fought to repeal the overly broad authorization for perpetual war, has worked to end the war in Afghanistan, and today is urging diplomatic solutions to prevent another was in Iraq.
View video here.
###
Follow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov.
Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, as well as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), where she serves as the Co-Chair of the CPC Peace and Security Task Force.