House Repeal of 2002 AUMF Is an Important Step to Limit Presidential War Powers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jessica Rosenblum, Director of Communications, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, 202.800.4662/ [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the strong bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives today to repeal a nearly two-decade-old war powers measure that gave the president a blank check for the use of force post 9/11, Quincy Institute CEO Lora Lumpe issued the following statement:

“Thanks are owed to the 268 Members of the House of Representatives on both sides of the aisle who voted today to put an end to presidential overreach in this country’s policy governing use of force. Their votes are supported not only by the Quincy Institute, but also by the majority of Americans who want to end the American practice of endless war-making for good.

Particular recognition should be given to Representative Barbara Lee, who sponsored the repeal today and who has championed this cause since she voted against the AUMFs in 2001 and 2002.  

The 2002 AUMF resolution, repealed today, was used to justify the disastrous 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, which led to the death and displacement of millions of Iraqis, a tremendous loss of U.S. credibility internationally, and the destabilization of the entire Middle East region.  

Though the U.S. war in Iraq ended in 2011, this war authorization has been used by successive administrations to justify use of deadly force in contexts far removed from its original intent — most recently in the assassination of an Iranian military leader last year. 

The Senate must now take action to repeal this zombie resolution and to reform the War Powers Resolution to prevent further abuse of executive branch powers.”