Should Congress repeal the 2002 AUMF for Iraq?

Foreign Affairs/Relations
Repeal of the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq (H.R. 256)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

This legislation would repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq. The 2002 resolution granted the president the power to “defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq.” The 2002 AUMF was most recently used by the Trump administration who claimed that it gave them authority for the killing of Iranian General Sponsor: Rep. Barbara Lee (Democrat, California, District 13)
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Opponents say

•     "Real AUMF reform requires Congress and the administration working together on actual text to replace the aging 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to provide authority needed to keep the American people, and, most importantly, our deployed troops, safe from terrorists."

Source: Rep. Michael McCaul (Republican, Texas, District 10)


•     "Repealing the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs would only cause unnecessary policy and legal uncertainty, which could lead to additional litigation and public doubt…It would stall our operations, immediately reduce allied commitments and support, and create significant opportunities for our enemies to seize the initiative."

Source: Jim Mattis (Former Defense Secretary)

Proponents say

•     "There are continuing threats from Iranian-backed militants. There are threats from ISIS and al Qaeda. That said, the 2002 AUMF doesn’t help us deal with any of these threats. Our forces would stay under Iraq under the 2001 AUMF, and the president can always defend America and our forces under Article II."

Source: Rep. Gregory Meeks (Democrat, New York, District 5)


•     "The House took a historic step in the last Congress to stop our endless wars in passing my amendment to repeal the outdated 2002 AUMF.  It is far past time we remove this unnecessary authorization and put an end to the blank check wars."

Source: Rep. Barbara Lee (Democrat, California, District 13)

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