Rep. Lee Statement on Meeting with Speaker Ryan to Discuss Repeal of 2001 AUMF
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on her meeting with Speaker Ryan to discuss the repeal of the 2001 AUMF. Her amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill would repeal the 2001 AUMF within eight months of enactment, allowing Congress ample time to debate and vote on any replacement AUMF:
“Earlier today, I met with Speaker Ryan to discuss my amendment to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) in the Defense Appropriations bill.
“In our meeting, I urged Speaker Ryan to listen to the voices on both sides of the aisle urging a debate and vote on our ongoing wars.
“Unfortunately, the Speaker did not commit to preserving this amendment in the Rules Committee. It would be a mistake – and frankly an abdication of congressional responsibility – to kill this important, bipartisan amendment.
“Our troops display incredible bravery and selflessness every day. How can we ask them to risk their lives when Congress can’t even muster the courage to vote on our ongoing wars after sixteen years?
“The inclusion of the 2001 AUMF repeal in the Defense Appropriations bill is the closest we’ve come to requiring a vote on ongoing military action. Eliminating this amendment behind closed doors would be undemocratic and further undermine our constitutional obligation on matters of war and peace.”
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