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WASHINGTON —A committee of the United States House of Representatives voted Thursday to repeal the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force that allowed the war in Iraq, as lawmakers renewed efforts to withdraw authority to declare war on the White House.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 28-19 to repeal the authorization, or AUMF, 19 years after its approval. The vote opened the way for the consideration of the measure by the plenary session of the House. There was no immediate indication of when it might take place.
To become law, it must also pass in the United States Senate, where members are making a separate effort to repeal and replace previous war authorizations.
The United States Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. However, that authority has gradually been shifted to the president as Congress passed AUMFs that did not expire, such as the 2002 Iraq measure, as well as one that enabled the fight against Al Qaeda in the wake of the September 11 attacks. 2001.
“It was approved to authorize a war against Saddam Hussein almost 20 years ago,” said Representative Gregory Meeks, the committee’s chairman, arguing for the repeal of the AUMF in 2002. “Saddam Hussein is long gone.”
Opponents worry that the repeal will put America’s security at risk by limiting the president’s powers.
Rep. Michael McCaul, the committee’s top Republican, said lawmakers should draft a new AUMF before repealing the old one.
“I believe we must do this as part of a complete and updated replacement to provide clear authorities against terrorists who still conspire to kill Americans here and abroad,” he said.
Supporters of the repeal argue that the AUMFs weren’t meant to last for decades. “It is time we end these wars for good,” said Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, leader of the repeal effort.
The White House has said that President Joe Biden believes the AUMF should be reexamined. —Reuters
