Win Without War Celebrates Repeal of Iraq War AUMFs, Urges Congress to Press On and Reclaim Its War Powers

Protest against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by Fibonacci Blue, CC BY 2.0 (httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby2.0deed.en), no changes made

Last Updated on January 27, 2026.

WASHINGTON — In response to the repeal of the 2002 and 1991 authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) against Iraq, Win Without War released the following statement: 

“Win Without War greatly welcomes the repeal of the 2002 and 1991 authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) legalizing war against Iraq. 

“A military-first approach to foreign policy has corroded U.S. standing in the world while wrecking lives abroad and at home. 23 years ago, Congress gave the Bush administration a blank check to launch a devastating regime-change war in Iraq by passing the 2002 AUMF. Repealing that and other dangerous authorizations is critical if Congress is to claw back its long-eroded authority over when and whether the United States goes to war. 

“We thank Senators Tim Kaine and Todd Young, Representatives Gregory Meeks and Chip Roy, and the dozens of other members who seized the moment and secured this repeal. Our deepest gratitude extends to former Representative Barbara Lee, who led the fight to repeal the 2002 and 1991 AUMFs for years. 

“Lee’s legacy also extends to further fights that Congress and the public must push forward. Today, we’re seeing the harms of outdated war authorizations reverberate in new and horrifying ways, as the Trump administration grafts the legal infrastructure of the drone campaign in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia onto a new, lawless murder campaign in Latin America – this time done without even the pretense of congressional authorization. 

“Reining in this latest White House overreach, and passing the new bipartisan resolution introduced by Representatives Jayapal and Massie to repeal the 2001 AUMF that continues to authorize the ‘Global War on Terror’, is the necessary next step forward — we urge Congress to seize the momentum of the 2002 AUMF repeal to close this violent chapter for good.”

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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.

December 19, 2025