Peter Welch: “The most solemn decision a country can make is to send its sons and daughters to war. The most solemn responsibility…”

“The most solemn decision a country can make is to send its sons and daughters to war. The most solemn responsibility Congress has is to make that decision. Yet, Congress has delegated that authority too often and too long to the executive. It resulted from an AUMF vote, Authorization for Use of Military Force, for a lie-based war in Iraq, resulting in the loss of life of over 4,500 of our fellow citizens, 200,000 Iraqis killed, and destruction and instability in the Middle East. That authorization will be repealed by a vote of Congress, and I will vote to repeal that authorization and restore to the Congress its responsibility to make that solemn decision about whether and when we send our sons and daughters to defend us abroad. ____________________”