FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 9, 2023
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator and physician Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Chip Roy (R-TX-21), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Tom Cole (R-OK-04) in cosponsoring the reintroduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs), formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars, and reassert Congress’ Constitutional role in deciding whether and when to send our servicemembers into harm’s way. The 1991 and 2002 AUMFs—which passed 32 and 20 years ago, respectively—authorized the use of force for the Gulf and Iraq wars, but Congress has failed to repeal these AUMFs to prevent potential misuse by future presidents. This bill would also enhance the relationship the United States now has with a sovereign, democratic Iraq.
“Endless war weakens our national security, robs this and future generations through skyrocketing debt, and creates more enemies to threaten us. For years I’ve led the fight to return war making powers back to Congress where they belong, and I’m proud to continue those efforts by joining a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing this legislation,” said Paul. “It’s long past time that we respect the balance of power and reassert Congress’ voice by forcing legislators to specifically approve or disapprove of the direction of our foreign policy.”
“Congress is responsible for both declaring wars and ending them because decisions as important as whether or not to send our troops into harm’s way warrant careful deliberation and consensus,” said Kaine. “The 1991 and 2002 AUMFs are no longer necessary, serve no operational purpose, and run the risk of potential misuse. Congress owes it to our servicemembers, veterans, and families to pass our bill repealing these outdated AUMFs and formally ending the Gulf and Iraq wars.”
In a continuation of his longtime efforts to return war making powers to Congress, he is proud to join several of his fellow Senators and Congressmen and women in supporting this bipartisan legislation. Dr. Paul continues to be a leading voice in Congress on the need to repeal outdated AUMFs to prevent potential misuse and have raised concerns over the use of military force without congressional authorization.
The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Lee (R-UT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Braun (R-IN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). In addition to Lee, Roy, Spanberger, and Cole, the House bill is cosponsored by Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), and Harriet Hageman (R-WY-At-Large).
Full text of the bill is available here.
###