Barbara Lee: “First, I thank our Rules Committee chair, Mr. McGovern, as well as all the members of the committee for making this…”

“First, I thank our Rules Committee chair, Mr. McGovern, as well as all the members of the committee for making this amendment in order. And I also thank our chairman, Mr. Smith, for working with us to bring this amendment forward. I am proud to offer this amendment with Representative Max Rose. It is a very straightforward amendment. It simply expresses the sense of Congress that the 2001 AUMF has been utilized well beyond the scope than Congress intended, and that it is far past time for Congress to reassert our constitutional mandated role in war making. Our amendment also states that any new authorization should include more specific provisions, including a sunset clause, clear and specific expression of objectives, targets, and geographic scope. Madam Chair, my amendment is not only necessary, but it is timely. Right now, the Trump administration is threatening to use the 2001 AUMF as a legal basis to go to war with Iran. This demonstrates the dangers of leaving this authorization for the use of military force on the books indefinitely. The 2001 AUMF is only 60 words, and one of the only modern authorizations for the use of force that includes no limitations in time, geography, operations, or a named enemy. On September 14, 2001, 3 days after the horrific attacks, I was the only ``no'' vote in Congress for the 2001 AUMF.…”