(Washington, D.C., Friday, June 18, 2021) – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauds the vote in the House of Representatives to repeal the outdated and overstretched 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq.

On a bipartisan basis, the House adopted Rep. Barbara Lee’s bill, H.R. 256.  Although the Iraq War had long been concluded, the 2002 Iraq AUMF remains on the books and has been susceptible to abuse.

Diane Randall, FCNL general secretary, explains the importance of this vote.

SOUNDBITE #1:

WITH THIS VOTE, CONGRESS TAKES A BIG STEP TOWARD PREVENTING UNAUTHORIZED WARS AND ENDING UNCHECKED PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY. FOR YEARS, OUR NATIONWIDE GRASSROOTS NETWORK HAS WORKED TO ACHIEVE EXACTLY THE RESULT WE ARE SEEING TODAY – A CONGRESS WILLING TO USE ITS OWN POWER TO PURSUE PEACE, NOT WAR.

SOUNDBITE #2:

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE HAVE WORKED TO EDUCATE CONGRESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF OPEN-ENDED WAR AUTHORIZATIONS AND TO URGE THEIR TERMINATION. THIS VOTE SHOWS THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE WHO DEMAND AN END TO ENDLESS WARS. DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ALIKE RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECIDING IF AND WHEN OUR COUNTRY GOES TO WAR.

To learn more, visit www.fcnl.org.