Statement: House Committee Leads on Reasserting Congress’s War Powers

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Last Updated on May 21, 2019.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Contact: Ben Armbruster ben@winwithoutwar.org 202-247-7133

Win Without War: House Committee Leads on Reasserting Congress’s War Powers

WASHINGTON
— Win Without War Advocacy Director Erica Fein released the following statement after two House Appropriations Committee votes on Tuesday to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force and end war in Yemen:

“We are encouraged to see the House Appropriations Committee leading the way to reassert Congress’s authority on matters of war and peace and curtail the Executive Branch’s longstanding misuse of  the 2001 AUMF to justify global, endless war.

“Most current members of Congress have never even voted on this authorization, and we’re now sending American servicemembers who weren’t even born on 9/11 to fight and die in these wars.

“The Constitution’s framers gave Congress the sole authority to declare where and when we go to war because it is the branch of government closest and most accountable to the American people.

“Under the leadership of full committee chairwoman Nita Lowey and defense subcommittee chairman Pete Visclosky, the Appropriations Committee exercised those powers, not only by voting to repeal the 2001 AUMF, but also by continuing to push to end the U.S.’s unauthorized role in a Saudi-led intervention against Houthi rebels in Yemen. We are especially grateful to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the lone vote against the 2001 AUMF, for her diligence in seeking an end to endless war.

“We urge the full Congress to follow the Appropriations Committee’s lead, accept the will of the American people, finally repeal the 2001 AUMF, and end our participation in this war in Yemen. We also hope Congress will take immediate action to block the Trump administration from taking us to war with Iran, and prevent another disastrous war in the Middle East.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in the United States.

May 21, 2019