February 14, 2019

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces AUMF Repeal Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) and force a debate on our endless wars around the world. The legislation would sunset the 2001 AUMF after 8 months, giving Congress ample time to debate and vote on a new AUMF.

“For far too long, Congress has abdicated its constitutional responsibility to debate and vote on matters of war and peace,” said Congresswoman Lee. “It’s time to stop kicking the can down the road. Congress owes it to the American people – and our brave men and women in uniform – to do our job and repeal this blank check for war.”

Congresswoman Lee was the only member of Congress to oppose the 2001 AUMF.  At the time, Congresswoman Lee wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle that the authorization “was a blank check to the president.”

According to the Congressional Research Service, the 2001 AUMF has been used to justify US military action at least 41 times in 19 countries.

The full text of the legislation is available here. The bill has 46 original cosponsors.

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