The Office of Hon. Barbara Lee / US House of Representatives – 2018-09-15 00:58:36
https://go.barbaraleeforcongress.org/page/s/tell-congress-repeal-the-2001-aumf-now
ACTION ALERT: It’s Time to Repeal the AUMF — an Unconstitutional War Powers Act
The Office of Hon. Barbara Lee / US House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC (September 14, 2018) — On this day 17 years ago, Barbara Lee stood alone at the podium of the US House floor just days after national tragedy and dissented against the Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF), a resolution that to this day has indefinitely allowed the sitting President of the United States to wage war at any time, in any place, for any reason.
Because even though the death and destruction resulting from the attacks on 9/11 were horrific and heartbreaking to Barbara, she knew that this “blank check to the president to attack anyone involved in the September 11 events — anywhere, in any country, without regard to our nation’s long-term foreign policy, economic and national security interests, and without time limit” would only result in further death and destruction to innocent lives across the world.
This was no easy, or popular, position to take, but it was a historic and heroic one: even in the face of deep sadness and anger that our country was facing, Barbara knew Congress should not act so quickly without fully debating and considering the implications.
To this day, the 2001 AUMF resolution has granted multiple presidents the ability to engage in wars and violent conflicts that had seemingly nothing to do with the tragic events of 9/11, without a Constitutionally required vote within the US House and Senate. Countless civilian lives in at least 14 countries have been lost as a result, and our service members continue to be put in harm’s way to fight in never-ending conflict.
But we still have the chance to do the right thing and end this blank check for endless war. Since casting her single vote against AUMF in 2001, Barbara has introduced legislation and amendments to repeal the outdated and dangerous AUMF resolution.
Rep. Barbara Lee Leads Congressional Debate on 2001 AUMF Repeal
Last year, House Speaker Paul Ryan and the GOP defeated her amendment, despite widespread bipartisan support. It’s time we rise again and demand Congress stop unlimited war.
ACTION: Today, on this anniversary of the 2001 AUMF, will you stand with Barbara and add your name to demand Paul Ryan and Republicans in Congress finally act to save lives and stop endless war by repealing AUMF?
THE MESSAGE
Tell Congress: No More Blank Check for Endless War.
Repeal the 2001 AUMF Now.
Seventeen years ago today, Barbara Lee cast the lone vote against the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). She voted against that resolution because it was so broad that she knew it would set the stage for the US to engage in perpetual war. And that is exactly what it has done.
Since 2001, the AUMF has been used more than 37 times in at least 14 countries. This flawed resolution has allowed multiple presidents to wage endless war, creating the longest period of warfare in our country’s history.
Barbara introduced an amendment last year to repeal this outdated and dangerous AUMF resolution with bipartisan support, but House Speaker Paul Ryan stopped it in its tracks.
ACTION: Add your name now to call on Paul Ryan and the rest of Congress to finally act to save lives and stop endless war by repealing AUMF.
Thank you,
— Team Barbara Lee
