Washington, DC - This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation to sunset and repeal Public Law 107-40, the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), over a six month period.The official bill number of this legislation is H.R. 6282 and the original co-sponsors are Representatives Walter Jones (NC), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH), Rep. Ron Paul (TX), Rep. Michael M. Honda (CA), Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME), Rep. Pete Stark (CA), Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN).
On September 14, 2001, Congresswoman Lee was the only Member of Congress to vote against the 2001 AUMF.
"Nine years ago, I made the unpopular decision to vote against this authorization based on a fundamental belief that a blank check to wage war anywhere, at any time, and for any length does not serve the national security interests of the United States," said Congresswoman Lee.
"In reflecting on the rush-to-war in Afghanistan and President Bush's misguided war-of-choice in Iraq, my worst fears have unfortunately been realized.
"Over the last nine years this broad authorization of force has had far-reaching implications which shake the very foundations of our great nation and democracy.
"It has been used to justify warrantless surveillance and wiretapping activities, indefinite detention practices that fly in the face of our constitutional values, extrajudicial targeted-killing operations, and a policy of borderless and open-ended war that threatens to indefinitely extend U.S. military engagement around the world.
"It is time for Congress to reexamine, and ultimately repeal this flawed authorization.
"The alternative, to concede Congress's constitutional responsibilities and blindly accept the persistence of war without end, is unacceptable."
See full article by Barbara Lee at SFGate. (H/t Jim White)
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