Ilhan Omar: “I thank the chairman for yielding, and I thank the distinguished author of this legislation, Congresswoman Lee, for…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding, and I thank the distinguished author of this legislation, Congresswoman Lee, for bringing forth this legislation. Madam Speaker, for the past 20 years, the 2002 Authorization has been used to wage war and cause destruction around the world. While many in this Congress have participated in war, I am someone who has endured war and understands the impact it has on innocent lives. The act of war does nothing to make us safer. Engaging in endless wars has led us to undermining our most important morals: peace, liberty, and justice. Congress cannot sit idly by as we take more civilian lives and decrease our ability to build prosperity at home. The more we spend on endless wars, the less we are able to invest in our own people with education, housing, and employment opportunities. I am pleased that Congress is finally working on restoring its authority over matters of peace and war. Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast).”