FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 21, 2023
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, continued his longtime efforts to return war making powers to Congress by introducing an amendment to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).
“As we vote to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, we need to take the additional step of also repealing the Authorization for the war in Afghanistan. The 2001 authorization to bring the 9/11 terrorists to justice was warranted, but like the Iraq war, the Afghan war has long ago ended – yet its authorization remains on the books,” said Dr. Paul. “War is sometimes necessary, but going to war should not be the decision of one person. Ending congressional authorization for the Gulf war, Iraq war and Afghanistan war returns the war power to the American people and their representatives.”
Dr. Paul’s amendment would formally end the authorization for the Afghanistan war – nearly 22 years after the AUMF was first passed. It would sunset the 2001 AUMF after six months, during which time Congress can debate exactly where and how to authorize future force.
The amendment was introduced ahead of the Senate voting on bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, formally ending the Gulf and Iraq wars, which Dr. Paul cosponsored.
Background:
Recently, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Dr. Paul is a member of, debated legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, it was approved out of committee by a vote of 13-8.
Dr. Paul continues to be a leading voice in Congress on the need to repeal outdated AUMFs to prevent potential misuse by the executive branch. He has also raised concerns over the use of military force without congressional authorization.
Ahead of introducing his amendment, Dr. Paul wrote an op-ed which was published by Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, you can read it HERE. Dr. Paul also recorded remarks on his amendment which can be viewed HERE.
You can read Dr. Paul’s amendment in its entirety HERE.
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