Today the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations voted on bipartisan legislation S.J. Res. 10 to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) against Iraq. This important vote brings us closer to ending endless war in the Middle East.
In 1991, Congress gave the President authority to use force against Iraq in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. In 2002, Congress authorized the President to direct military action against the Saddam Hussein regime. Both these missions are clearly outdated, which makes their AUMFs irrelevant to current day operations.
The reason it’s so important to repeal these AUMFs is to bring Constitutional War Powers back to Congress and protect military families from Presidential overreach. We owe that to our armed forces.
“I am grateful to finally see action on repealing these outdated AUMFs—an issue that has long been important to me,” said Senator Tim Kaine, the bill’s cosponsor. “So much has changed since 1991 and 2002: Saddam Hussein’s regime is gone; the Gulf and Iraq Wars are over; and Iraq is now a close security partner who should not be labeled an enemy state. Foreign Relations Committee action on our AUMF repeal bill represents a bipartisan recognition of these truths and a widespread desire to not keep old war authorizations on the books.”
Take Action: Thank Senators for Voting “Yes” on AUMF Repeal
Send a quick email to the Senators who voted YES to repeal these outdated AUMFs. We have a draft to get you started, but it’s always more powerful when you add a personal touch. If you’re on Twitter, please retweet our image thanking Senators for their important vote as well.
Dear Senator,
Thank you for your committee vote to repeal outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force. As a military spouse, I believe in reducing unnecessary wars, maintaining Congress’s constitutional authorities, and ensuring the war-fighting process is maximally deliberative, accountable and transparent. Your vote today takes us closer to making these a reality and my service member safer.
Sponsors of S.J. Res. 10 Who Voted Yes
- Senator Tim Kaine | Email form
- Senator Todd Young | Email form
Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Who Voted Yes
- Senator Bob Menendez | Email form
- Senator Ben Cardin | Email form
- Senator Jeanne Shaheen | Email form
- Senator Christopher Coons | Email form
- Senator Chris Murphy | Email form
- Senator Edward Markey | Email form
- Senator Jeff Merkley | Email form
- Senator Cory Booker | Email form
- Senator Brian Schatz | Email form
- Senator Chris Van Hollen | Email form
- Senator Rob Portman | Email form
- Senator Rand Paul | Email form
