AUMF

On December 15, the Senate voted 83 to 11 for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 sending the legislation to President Biden for his signature. From the perspective of reasserting its prerogatives on war and peace, this 4408-page legislation is notable for what it does not include: a repeal of the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq (2002 AUMF).

Oct. 16 marks the 20th anniversary of another somber day in U.S. history, albeit lesser known. On that day in 2002, Congress passed the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (2002 Iraq AUMF), green-lighting war against Saddam Hussein’s government in Iraq and opening the way for a full scale “shock and awe” invasion by the U.S.

Congress passed this law to clear the way for the U.S. intervention of Iraq and the toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime. Hussein was deposed in 2003 and executed three years later. And yet, the 2002 Iraq AUMF has remained in place.  

The executive branch has used the still active law to justify unrelated conflicts, but it appears the 2002 AUMF’s days are finally numbered.

On July 14, for the fourth time in as many years, the House voted to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq (2002 Iraq AUMF). The move came as part of House floor consideration of the annual defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA.

FCNL applauds today’s House vote to repeal the outdated 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force against the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq.

This week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to repeal the two authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) that four presidents have used to justify more than 20 years of U.S. wars.

As concerns continue to develop over Russia’s attacks against Ukraine, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) has responded by introducing a new authorization for use of military force (AUMF), which would give President Biden authority to use force should Russia deploy chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.

Given the experience in Afghanistan, it’s clearer than ever the global war on terror has been an unmitigated humanitarian and strategic disaster.

Ultimately, Congress will need to repeal the law that allows these endless and ever-expanding wars: the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.