John —
On September 14th, 2001, I was the only member of Congress to vote no on the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).
420-1.
That’s an intimidating number. After my vote, I received death threats and needed around-the-clock bodyguards. I was labeled “anti-American.” I was vilified in the press.
But I never backed down. Even then, I saw what the AUMF would become. It has allowed presidents to declare war whenever they want, exacerbate humanitarian crises, and justify military force in 30 countries over 19 years without Congressional oversight.
We’ve all seen the damage that a blank check for endless war can do. It ruins cities, destroys economies, and takes hundreds of thousands of innocent lives, most of them children.
The 2001 AUMF gives an unstable man like Trump unchecked power for endless war. I don’t even want to imagine the damage Trump and his hawkish henchmen could cause if they recklessly drag us into military conflict.
Make no mistake: this is a dangerous moment for our country.
I’ve written multiple amendments to sunset the AUMF and stop endless war for good. We’ve seen the devastating consequences the AUMF has caused and it’s time to take the power of declaring war out of a single person’s hands and put it back in the hands of the 535-member Congress.
That’s why, 19 years after my vote against the AUMF, I’m asking you to support me. Please, if you agree that we need to stop endless war and sunset the AUMF, sign your name here.
I’m proud of my vote. I hope I’ve made you proud too.
In solidarity,
— Barbara Lee
