John, many of you know about my vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 – a 60-word resolution which gave President Bush nearly unlimited war powers. 

But in the aftermath of being the only "no" vote, I didn't know what to expect. I just knew none of it would be easy.

Immediately after, I walked back through the tunnel to my office. My phone was ringing off the hook and I answered – it was my dad, a retired Lt. Colonel. "That was the right vote. I'm a military man and you can tell them that," he said. It meant a lot. 

I remember how much I kept trying to explain my vote to my colleagues: that it would give the President the right to start any war without going to Congress. But still, no one would listen. After the 420-1 vote, I was stuck in D.C. for two or three weeks because of concerns for my safety, and letters kept arriving from people calling me a traitor. 

I got a lot of phone calls, even death threats. Members of my family did, too. I wasn't safe in my own home, and the Secret Service had to close the street down just for me to visit my children. 

But after enough time passed, the letters started to change – people were actually thanking me for my decision. I even got a kind note from Coretta Scott King.

When I finally got back to the Bay Area, I was greeted with a rally put together by my friends – activists Danny Glover and Alice Walker, along with several others. That day, we were joined by a crowd of over 3,000 in support of me, my vote, and the cause of peace and security throughout the world.

But friends, this AUMF is still in effect. It's been used by presidents, both Republican and Democrat, to unilaterally wage perpetual worldwide wars, sidestepping Congress. Just last week, the Biden Administration bypassed congressional oversight and transferred weapons to another country. Congressional oversight is our constitutional duty and a central part of our job as members of Congress. This is simply unacceptable and it must be publicly explained – period.

We MUST stop issuing presidents a blank check to wage endless wars. I am the ONLY candidate in this race who will stand up and demand REAL oversight and accountability from our leaders, boldly and unapologetically. This isn't a gimmick or a slogan for me.

But I can't do it without your help, so please: Will you chip in $5 or more right now to help power my historic run for the Senate? With your support, I'll continue to fight tirelessly for what's right, no matter the cost.

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Thank you for being such an important part of this movement for progress.

– Barbara Lee



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