Congresswoman Lee’s Statement of the President’s Authorization for Military Force Proposal
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement concerning the President’s proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF):
“It is past time for Congress to finally debate and vote on a comprehensive strategy to ultimately degrade and dismantle ISIL.
I am pleased that the proposed authorization includes a repeal of the misguided 2002 AUMF, that authorized an unnecessary and disastrous war in Iraq.
Additionally, I am glad the proposed authorization includes language recognizing the vital role that a comprehensive, diplomatic, economic and political solution must play in ultimately degrading and dismantling ISIL.
However, I have serious concerns about the proposed authorization’s overly broad language and lack of geographic or other limitations. Most importantly, I am deeply concerned about the lack of repeal language for the 2001 AUMF, which has been and would remain a blank check for endless war.
For far too long, our nation has been engaged in perpetual war. It is past time for Congress to re-establish the checks and balances laid out in our Constitution.
I look forward to continuing to work with the President and my Congressional colleagues to advance comprehensive solutions to address ISIL and will keep fighting to repeal the 2001 AUMF, a blank check for endless war.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.