Brian Jones: “I am on the floor today to express my disappointment that my colleagues and I were prevented from offering an amendment…”

“I am on the floor today to express my disappointment that my colleagues and I were prevented from offering an amendment to the NDAA dealing with the constitutional responsibility of Congress to declare war. Like many Members of Congress, I had the opportunity to speak at events on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday on Memorial Day weekend. Every time I spoke, I mentioned my frustration that the McGovern-Jones amendment was not able to be brought to the floor for debate and a vote. However, I was pleased that Adam Schiff's amendment to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force, which was passed by Congress in 2001, was at least brought up for a debate. However, I was disappointed that the Schiff amendment was defeated, because no President should have the authority to send men and women to war without action from Congress. According to CRS, the AUMF has been invoked in 30 known instances by Presidents Bush and Obama for the purpose of deploying troops. This represents an abdication of our constitutional responsibility. Yesterday I had the honor of visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Mr. Speaker, I have beside me a poster of a triple amputee. This gentleman gave his arm and both legs for our country. Yesterday at Walter Reed, during my visit, I had the privilege of talking with several of our Nation's heroes who have lost limbs, double amputees and triple amputees. Mr.…”