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John,
When the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq passed on March 20, we were reminded of the urgent need to prevent any future wars and the human costs associated with the ones our nation has waged.
One critical step towards stopping more conflicts is to close the door on an era of endless war by repealing the outdated war authorities that have enabled unchecked military action.
The 1991 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) was enacted in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, while The 2002 AUMF was passed in the lead-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, with the stated aim of disarming the Iraqi government and preventing the development of weapons of mass destruction that didn’t actually exist.
Today, both AUMFs remain in force without any specific timeframe or geographic limits, leaving the door to an era of endless war wide open. It's time to urge Congress to act by sending a message telling them to repeal both the '91 and '02 AUMFs now.
With Rep. Barbara Lee, Sen. Tim Kaine, and a bipartisan coalition, including Republicans Todd Young and Chip Roy leading efforts to repeal outdated war authorizations, we are closer than ever to getting the job done.
This crucial legislation wouldn't even be where it is today without years of grassroots activism, and now it’s time for us to finish the job.
Repealing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs is essential for several reasons: First, it will prevent future conflicts and by repealing these outdated war authorities Congress can send a clear message that the United States is committed to a more diplomatic and peaceful approach to foreign policy.
Second, it will promote accountability and transparency: Repealing the AUMFs will ensure that any future military action requires explicit congressional authorization, fostering greater accountability and transparency in the decision-making process.
Lastly, repealing the AUMFs will demonstrate that the United States will commit to working alongside international partners to address global security challenges, thereby strengthening alliances and promoting a more collaborative approach to global governance.
The only way we will push Congress to act is by working together to demand that they finally take action to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs.
Contact your representatives and senators to urge them to support the repeal of the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs.
Let’s keep working to push Congress to prioritize negotiations and cooperation over military intervention.
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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