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John,
On this 21st anniversary of the Iraq War, Americans should take a few minutes to reflect on the lessons learned from this pivotal moment in American history.
The Iraq War stands as a tragic reminder of the deadly and irreversible consequences of poor choices in foreign policy and their dramatic effects on veterans, their families, and our society.
That war of choice (characterized by faulty intelligence and analysis) led to the deployment of hundreds of thousands of American troops in pursuit of an unachievable mission.
My own son deployed to Iraq. My family is one of the tens of thousands of veteran families who continue to feel the lasting effects of this conflict.
The Iraq War serves as a poignant example of the need for caution, forethought and restraint when considering military intervention abroad.
This 21st anniversary of the Iraq War underscores the importance of congressional oversight and the need for executive accountability. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war precisely to prevent the abuse of executive power and to ensure that decisions to deploy troops are made with careful deliberation and broad consensus. The continued existence of the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) leaves the potential for future misuse by a reckless executive.
Repealing outdated AUMFs is not only a matter of upholding constitutional principle but also of safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring the voices of the American people are heard in decisions of such gravity.
As we reflect on 21 years of war in Iraq, it is also imperative that we take decisive action to honor the sacrifices of those who served by bringing all troops home and closing this chapter of American military involvement.
Today, I encourage you to read the messages of two strong veteran voices at CVA who, along with foreign policy expert Reid Smith, make compelling cases for bringing closure to the Iraq War.
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