Bill Lee: “Tomorrow marks the 17th year since Congress passed the 2001 AUMF, which has become a blank check for endless war. I…”

“Tomorrow marks the 17th year since Congress passed the 2001 AUMF, which has become a blank check for endless war. I would like to read part of the speech I delivered on September 14, 2001, because these words remain true and relevant today. I said: ``Mr. Speaker, I rise really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. ``September 11 changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. ``This resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war, even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Some of us must say, let us step back for a moment. Let us just pause for a minute and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control. ``I have agonized over this vote, but I came to grips with it today. I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, as we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore.'' Now, 17 years later, I am asking my colleagues to join me in repealing this overly-broad resolution by cosponsoring H.R. 1229. ____________________”