Rep Barbara Lee: Congress Must Stop Abdicating its Duty to Debate War
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the Senate vote to table Senator Paul amendment to sunset the 2001 and 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF):
“For sixteen years, Congress has abdicated its fundamental constitutional responsibility to debate and vote on matters of war and peace. While young men and women risk their lives for this country, Congress has been unable to muster the courage to vote on our endless wars.
“Earlier this year, my amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF was adopted in a bipartisan vote in the House Appropriations Committee. This amendment, which sunset the 2001 AUMF eight months after enactment, would have given Congress ample time to debate and vote on a new war authorization. But before it could reach the House Floor, Speaker Ryan and Republican House leadership stripped the amendment in the darkof night.
“And now, with the vote today to table Senator Paul’s amendment, Congress once again chose political convenience over our duty to the American people and service members.
“While this outcome is disappointing, we must and will keep fighting to get this blank check for war off the books. The constitution – and the American people – deserve no less.”
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