In this time of close attention to the division of power between Congress and the president, Congress has the opportunity to reclaim some of its constitutional power to determine when to wage war. In 2002 Congress passed an Authorization to Use Military Force for the invasion of Iraq. President Obama declared that war complete in 2011 but the rule remains on the books. It is not needed for our anti-terrorism efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere because those current operations are the subject of a separate AUMF enacted shortly after 9/11.
With bipartisan support the House of Representatives voted to repeal this 2002 law as part of the annual appropriation for the military, and the House and Senate are now negotiating the terms of the final bill. Thank you to the staff of Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, for meeting with us to discuss this issue. We hope she will press the members of the House Armed Services Committee to insist on inclusion of the repeal of the 2002 AUMF in the final funding bill to prevent the misuse of it to justify an undeclared war in the future.
