![The Vital Congressional Hearing on the Endless War That Probably Nobody Watched](https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/we-cannot-afford-to-wait-any-longer-while-these-wars-expand-said-rep-barbara-lee-at-a-congressional-ad-hoc-hearing-tuesday.jpg?id=32153197&width=1200&height=400&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C91%2C0%2C91)
"We cannot afford to wait any longer while these wars expand," said Rep. Barbara Lee at a congressional ad hoc hearing Tuesday. (Photo: Dandelion Salad/flickr/cc)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
"We cannot afford to wait any longer while these wars expand," said Rep. Barbara Lee at a congressional ad hoc hearing Tuesday. (Photo: Dandelion Salad/flickr/cc)
Taking "an important step towards a long overdue debate and vote," a bipartisan congressional hearing Tuesday afternoon put a spotlight on what is often dubbed a "blank check for war"--the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).
For over 16 years--a time period spanning the George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations--the executive branch has leaned on that AUMF to justify wars across the world--from the Philippines to Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia--in the name of defeating supposed terrorist organizations, without prior congressional approval.
"We cannot afford to wait any longer while these wars expand. For too long, Congress has ignored our duties on these ongoing wars," said meeting co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) at the start of the hearing.
Rep. Lee, it should be noted, was the sole member of Congress to vote against the AUMF, which was passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack.
The "2001 AUMF has become a blank check for any president to wage war anytime, anywhere, anyplace without the consent or oversight of Congress," she continued.
As the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which co-hosted the ad hoc hearing along with the House Liberty Caucus, tweeted, "It's time to revisit the U.S. role in military operations around the globe."
Among the experts offering testimony at the hearing was Rita Siemion, international legal counsel at Human Rights First, who noted that not only has the AUMF "been interpreted as authorizing military operations that Congress never intended," it has also been used to justify "a range of human rights abuses from detention without charge or trial to extrajudicial killings via drone strikes far from any battlefield."
Congress, she argued, "must discuss and debate the difficult question of whether the war-centered approach [to counterterrorism] of the past 16 and a half years has been effective." If Congress does decide that continued military force is needed, she laid out what she believes a new AUMF should include:
First, any new AUMF should name the specific enemy that military force is authorized against and specify the permitted mission objectives to prevent the executive branch from overstepping Congress's intent.
Second, any new AUMF should include robust reporting requirements to promote democratic accountability and enable Congress to fulfill its critical oversight functions.
Third, any new AUMF should require compliance with U.S. obligations under international law to demonstrate to our allies and enemies alike that the United States is a nation that complies with the rule of law and is committed to its obligations to respect state sovereignty, human rights and the law of armed conflict.
Fourth, any new AUMF should include language that makes it clear that it is the sole source of statutory authority to use force against the enemy named in the authorization to avoid overlap, confusion, or loopholes.
And last, but perhaps most importantly, any new AUMF should include a sunset provision that sets a timetable for ensuring continued congressional approval and oversight as the conflict evolves, providing a safeguard against perpetual armed conflict or overly expansive executive interpretations
The executive director of Veterans for Peace, Michael McPhearson, spoke at the hearing as well. "The cost of war to people should compel us to rethink U.S. foreign policy and specifically these current wars," he said, citing the suicide risk veterans face, the pain of "Gold Star families," the pain felt by Iraqis whose children were killed at the hands of U.S. forces, and torture committed by U.S. forces at places like the Abu Ghraib prison.
Veterans for Peace, Human Rights First, and other groups as well as members of Congress took to Twitter to highlight comments from the hearing and the importance of repealing the AUMF:
\u201cThe U.S. has become embroiled in conflicts with devastating humanitarian consequences without first asking questions about how and why. It\u2019s time for Congress to #VoteOnWar\u2014 @ritasiemion\u201d— Human Rights First (@Human Rights First) 1519760379
\u201c"We owe it to the youth of this country to debate and vote before we send them off to war" #VoteOnWar\u201d— Veterans For Peace (@Veterans For Peace) 1519762036
\u201cIt\u2019s long past time to take our military operations out of the shadows. The American public deserves a debate on the unconstitutional power of the 2001 #AUMF and our endless wars. #VoteOnWar #EndEndlessWar\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519761614
\u201c"Though modern presidents like to ignore this point, the Framers were quite clear that the president isn\u2019t to decide when or why we go to war." - Rep. @justinamash #VoteOnWar\u201d— Office of Rep. Amash Archive (@Office of Rep. Amash Archive) 1519760470
(Rep. Amash co-chaired the hearing with Rep. Lee.)
\u201cAt House #AUMF hearing, @RepWalterJones says \u201cWake up Congress! We owe it to the next generation to have this debate. \u201c #EndlessWar\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519762597
\u201cUnder the 2001 #AUMF, we have been stuck in American\u2019s longest running war in #Afghanistan. And recently the Trump administration has announced indefinite troop deployment in #Syria. It\u2019s time for Congress to stand up and end this blank check for #EndlessWar.\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519760708
\u201cThe constitution is clear: Congress is granted the power to declare war, not the President. Before we become further entrenched in conflicts in Syria, Yemen & Somalia, Congress needs to debate & vote on a new #AUMF. #VoteOnWar\u201d— Rep. Barbara Lee (@Rep. Barbara Lee) 1519761616
In a press statement following the meeting, Lee asserted that the "critical hearing showed that a growing, bipartisan group of Members are calling for a debate and vote on our ongoing wars. We are saying that enough is enough. The 2001 AUMF is a blank check for war--plain and simple."
"For far too long, our brave service members have risked their lives around the world, while Congress has failed to even debate these military operations," her statement continued. "Every day that Congress delays, we become further entangled in these conflicts. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to hold a debate on these endless wars."
Also on Tuesday, 106 members of Congress (including 10 Republicans) signed on to a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) calling on him to lead the chamber in allowing "a serious debate and vote on the use of military force (AUMF)."
"The debate should also allow members the opportunity to debate and vote on the long-term costs and consequences of and alternatives to military action," the letter said.
While praising the signatories "for adding their voices to this critical issue," Yasmine Taeb, director for human rights and civil liberties at Friends Committee on National Legislation, decried how "Congress has abdicated its constitutional duty to decide where and when the United States goes to war."
"This cannot be allowed to continue," she added, "and these representatives recognize the duty and responsibility they have to the American people and the need for Congress to assert its proper role and oversight responsibilities in determining when and where the U.S. goes to war."
Watch the hearing in its entirety below:
The world is a pretty dark place right now. Economic inequality off the charts. The climate emergency. Supreme Court corruption in the U.S. and corporate capture worldwide. Democracy in many nations coming apart at the seams. Fascism threatens. It’s enough to make you wish for some powerful being to come along and save us. But the truth is this: no heroes are coming to save us. The only path to real and progressive change is when well-informed, well-intentioned people—fed up with being kicked around by the rich, the powerful, and the wicked—get organized and fight for the better world we all deserve. That’s why we created Common Dreams. We cover the issues that corporate media never will and lift up voices others would rather keep silent. But this people-powered media model can only survive with the support of readers like you. Can you join with us and donate right now to Common Dreams’ Mid-Year Campaign? |
Taking "an important step towards a long overdue debate and vote," a bipartisan congressional hearing Tuesday afternoon put a spotlight on what is often dubbed a "blank check for war"--the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).
For over 16 years--a time period spanning the George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations--the executive branch has leaned on that AUMF to justify wars across the world--from the Philippines to Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia--in the name of defeating supposed terrorist organizations, without prior congressional approval.
"We cannot afford to wait any longer while these wars expand. For too long, Congress has ignored our duties on these ongoing wars," said meeting co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) at the start of the hearing.
Rep. Lee, it should be noted, was the sole member of Congress to vote against the AUMF, which was passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack.
The "2001 AUMF has become a blank check for any president to wage war anytime, anywhere, anyplace without the consent or oversight of Congress," she continued.
As the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which co-hosted the ad hoc hearing along with the House Liberty Caucus, tweeted, "It's time to revisit the U.S. role in military operations around the globe."
Among the experts offering testimony at the hearing was Rita Siemion, international legal counsel at Human Rights First, who noted that not only has the AUMF "been interpreted as authorizing military operations that Congress never intended," it has also been used to justify "a range of human rights abuses from detention without charge or trial to extrajudicial killings via drone strikes far from any battlefield."
Congress, she argued, "must discuss and debate the difficult question of whether the war-centered approach [to counterterrorism] of the past 16 and a half years has been effective." If Congress does decide that continued military force is needed, she laid out what she believes a new AUMF should include:
First, any new AUMF should name the specific enemy that military force is authorized against and specify the permitted mission objectives to prevent the executive branch from overstepping Congress's intent.
Second, any new AUMF should include robust reporting requirements to promote democratic accountability and enable Congress to fulfill its critical oversight functions.
Third, any new AUMF should require compliance with U.S. obligations under international law to demonstrate to our allies and enemies alike that the United States is a nation that complies with the rule of law and is committed to its obligations to respect state sovereignty, human rights and the law of armed conflict.
Fourth, any new AUMF should include language that makes it clear that it is the sole source of statutory authority to use force against the enemy named in the authorization to avoid overlap, confusion, or loopholes.
And last, but perhaps most importantly, any new AUMF should include a sunset provision that sets a timetable for ensuring continued congressional approval and oversight as the conflict evolves, providing a safeguard against perpetual armed conflict or overly expansive executive interpretations
The executive director of Veterans for Peace, Michael McPhearson, spoke at the hearing as well. "The cost of war to people should compel us to rethink U.S. foreign policy and specifically these current wars," he said, citing the suicide risk veterans face, the pain of "Gold Star families," the pain felt by Iraqis whose children were killed at the hands of U.S. forces, and torture committed by U.S. forces at places like the Abu Ghraib prison.
Veterans for Peace, Human Rights First, and other groups as well as members of Congress took to Twitter to highlight comments from the hearing and the importance of repealing the AUMF:
\u201cThe U.S. has become embroiled in conflicts with devastating humanitarian consequences without first asking questions about how and why. It\u2019s time for Congress to #VoteOnWar\u2014 @ritasiemion\u201d— Human Rights First (@Human Rights First) 1519760379
\u201c"We owe it to the youth of this country to debate and vote before we send them off to war" #VoteOnWar\u201d— Veterans For Peace (@Veterans For Peace) 1519762036
\u201cIt\u2019s long past time to take our military operations out of the shadows. The American public deserves a debate on the unconstitutional power of the 2001 #AUMF and our endless wars. #VoteOnWar #EndEndlessWar\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519761614
\u201c"Though modern presidents like to ignore this point, the Framers were quite clear that the president isn\u2019t to decide when or why we go to war." - Rep. @justinamash #VoteOnWar\u201d— Office of Rep. Amash Archive (@Office of Rep. Amash Archive) 1519760470
(Rep. Amash co-chaired the hearing with Rep. Lee.)
\u201cAt House #AUMF hearing, @RepWalterJones says \u201cWake up Congress! We owe it to the next generation to have this debate. \u201c #EndlessWar\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519762597
\u201cUnder the 2001 #AUMF, we have been stuck in American\u2019s longest running war in #Afghanistan. And recently the Trump administration has announced indefinite troop deployment in #Syria. It\u2019s time for Congress to stand up and end this blank check for #EndlessWar.\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519760708
\u201cThe constitution is clear: Congress is granted the power to declare war, not the President. Before we become further entrenched in conflicts in Syria, Yemen & Somalia, Congress needs to debate & vote on a new #AUMF. #VoteOnWar\u201d— Rep. Barbara Lee (@Rep. Barbara Lee) 1519761616
In a press statement following the meeting, Lee asserted that the "critical hearing showed that a growing, bipartisan group of Members are calling for a debate and vote on our ongoing wars. We are saying that enough is enough. The 2001 AUMF is a blank check for war--plain and simple."
"For far too long, our brave service members have risked their lives around the world, while Congress has failed to even debate these military operations," her statement continued. "Every day that Congress delays, we become further entangled in these conflicts. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to hold a debate on these endless wars."
Also on Tuesday, 106 members of Congress (including 10 Republicans) signed on to a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) calling on him to lead the chamber in allowing "a serious debate and vote on the use of military force (AUMF)."
"The debate should also allow members the opportunity to debate and vote on the long-term costs and consequences of and alternatives to military action," the letter said.
While praising the signatories "for adding their voices to this critical issue," Yasmine Taeb, director for human rights and civil liberties at Friends Committee on National Legislation, decried how "Congress has abdicated its constitutional duty to decide where and when the United States goes to war."
"This cannot be allowed to continue," she added, "and these representatives recognize the duty and responsibility they have to the American people and the need for Congress to assert its proper role and oversight responsibilities in determining when and where the U.S. goes to war."
Watch the hearing in its entirety below:
Taking "an important step towards a long overdue debate and vote," a bipartisan congressional hearing Tuesday afternoon put a spotlight on what is often dubbed a "blank check for war"--the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).
For over 16 years--a time period spanning the George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations--the executive branch has leaned on that AUMF to justify wars across the world--from the Philippines to Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia--in the name of defeating supposed terrorist organizations, without prior congressional approval.
"We cannot afford to wait any longer while these wars expand. For too long, Congress has ignored our duties on these ongoing wars," said meeting co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) at the start of the hearing.
Rep. Lee, it should be noted, was the sole member of Congress to vote against the AUMF, which was passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack.
The "2001 AUMF has become a blank check for any president to wage war anytime, anywhere, anyplace without the consent or oversight of Congress," she continued.
As the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which co-hosted the ad hoc hearing along with the House Liberty Caucus, tweeted, "It's time to revisit the U.S. role in military operations around the globe."
Among the experts offering testimony at the hearing was Rita Siemion, international legal counsel at Human Rights First, who noted that not only has the AUMF "been interpreted as authorizing military operations that Congress never intended," it has also been used to justify "a range of human rights abuses from detention without charge or trial to extrajudicial killings via drone strikes far from any battlefield."
Congress, she argued, "must discuss and debate the difficult question of whether the war-centered approach [to counterterrorism] of the past 16 and a half years has been effective." If Congress does decide that continued military force is needed, she laid out what she believes a new AUMF should include:
First, any new AUMF should name the specific enemy that military force is authorized against and specify the permitted mission objectives to prevent the executive branch from overstepping Congress's intent.
Second, any new AUMF should include robust reporting requirements to promote democratic accountability and enable Congress to fulfill its critical oversight functions.
Third, any new AUMF should require compliance with U.S. obligations under international law to demonstrate to our allies and enemies alike that the United States is a nation that complies with the rule of law and is committed to its obligations to respect state sovereignty, human rights and the law of armed conflict.
Fourth, any new AUMF should include language that makes it clear that it is the sole source of statutory authority to use force against the enemy named in the authorization to avoid overlap, confusion, or loopholes.
And last, but perhaps most importantly, any new AUMF should include a sunset provision that sets a timetable for ensuring continued congressional approval and oversight as the conflict evolves, providing a safeguard against perpetual armed conflict or overly expansive executive interpretations
The executive director of Veterans for Peace, Michael McPhearson, spoke at the hearing as well. "The cost of war to people should compel us to rethink U.S. foreign policy and specifically these current wars," he said, citing the suicide risk veterans face, the pain of "Gold Star families," the pain felt by Iraqis whose children were killed at the hands of U.S. forces, and torture committed by U.S. forces at places like the Abu Ghraib prison.
Veterans for Peace, Human Rights First, and other groups as well as members of Congress took to Twitter to highlight comments from the hearing and the importance of repealing the AUMF:
\u201cThe U.S. has become embroiled in conflicts with devastating humanitarian consequences without first asking questions about how and why. It\u2019s time for Congress to #VoteOnWar\u2014 @ritasiemion\u201d— Human Rights First (@Human Rights First) 1519760379
\u201c"We owe it to the youth of this country to debate and vote before we send them off to war" #VoteOnWar\u201d— Veterans For Peace (@Veterans For Peace) 1519762036
\u201cIt\u2019s long past time to take our military operations out of the shadows. The American public deserves a debate on the unconstitutional power of the 2001 #AUMF and our endless wars. #VoteOnWar #EndEndlessWar\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519761614
\u201c"Though modern presidents like to ignore this point, the Framers were quite clear that the president isn\u2019t to decide when or why we go to war." - Rep. @justinamash #VoteOnWar\u201d— Office of Rep. Amash Archive (@Office of Rep. Amash Archive) 1519760470
(Rep. Amash co-chaired the hearing with Rep. Lee.)
\u201cAt House #AUMF hearing, @RepWalterJones says \u201cWake up Congress! We owe it to the next generation to have this debate. \u201c #EndlessWar\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519762597
\u201cUnder the 2001 #AUMF, we have been stuck in American\u2019s longest running war in #Afghanistan. And recently the Trump administration has announced indefinite troop deployment in #Syria. It\u2019s time for Congress to stand up and end this blank check for #EndlessWar.\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1519760708
\u201cThe constitution is clear: Congress is granted the power to declare war, not the President. Before we become further entrenched in conflicts in Syria, Yemen & Somalia, Congress needs to debate & vote on a new #AUMF. #VoteOnWar\u201d— Rep. Barbara Lee (@Rep. Barbara Lee) 1519761616
In a press statement following the meeting, Lee asserted that the "critical hearing showed that a growing, bipartisan group of Members are calling for a debate and vote on our ongoing wars. We are saying that enough is enough. The 2001 AUMF is a blank check for war--plain and simple."
"For far too long, our brave service members have risked their lives around the world, while Congress has failed to even debate these military operations," her statement continued. "Every day that Congress delays, we become further entangled in these conflicts. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to hold a debate on these endless wars."
Also on Tuesday, 106 members of Congress (including 10 Republicans) signed on to a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) calling on him to lead the chamber in allowing "a serious debate and vote on the use of military force (AUMF)."
"The debate should also allow members the opportunity to debate and vote on the long-term costs and consequences of and alternatives to military action," the letter said.
While praising the signatories "for adding their voices to this critical issue," Yasmine Taeb, director for human rights and civil liberties at Friends Committee on National Legislation, decried how "Congress has abdicated its constitutional duty to decide where and when the United States goes to war."
"This cannot be allowed to continue," she added, "and these representatives recognize the duty and responsibility they have to the American people and the need for Congress to assert its proper role and oversight responsibilities in determining when and where the U.S. goes to war."
Watch the hearing in its entirety below: