Barbara Lee: “The point is we will have 8 months to debate a new authorization, depending on what this Congress determines should move…”

“The point is we will have 8 months to debate a new authorization, depending on what this Congress determines should move forward as the Authorization to Use Military Force. The 2001 was passed in 3 days. Certainly, 8 months gives us enough time to do our job. The Constitution requires us not to be missing in action. We have the power of the purse, and we should use that because we have sent our young men and women into harm's way. They have done their job. They need to know now that, in the wars in which they are engaged, Congress has their back. We should make some decisions on this, and it doesn't make any sense to continue using this authorization on wars 18 years later. Twenty percent of Members of Congress serving today were here in 2001. Members deserve to represent their constituents and to debate and to make sure their voices are heard also.”