Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Corker-Kaine AUMF Proposal
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the Corker-Kaine draft Authorization for the Use of Military Force of 2018:
“I am pleased to see the Senate taking long overdue legislative action to replace the 2001 AUMF and debate our endless wars. However, I have grave concerns about the current proposal authored by Senator Bob Corker and Senator Tim Kaine that would continue our state of perpetual war.
“Rather than reining in the Trump Administration’s blank check for war, the Corker-Kaine AUMF would continue all current military operations, allow any president to unilaterally expand our wars, and effectively consent to endless war by omitting any sunset date or geographic constraints for our ongoing operations. This legislation also further limits Congress’s role in warmaking by requiring a veto-proof majority to block military action from the president.
“Over the last sixteen years, we have witnessed the consequences of unfettered executive power in matters of war. Instead of further endorsing perpetual war, we need to insist on an AUMF that is narrow, clearly defined, and respects Congress’s constitutional duty to debate and authorize military action.”
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