Senate to Take Key Vote on Repealing Iraq War Power Acts, Reasserting Congressional Authority in Military Intervention Abroad

Washington D.C. – On Thursday, the Senate will hold a key procedural vote on a measure that would repeal the legal justifications used to attack Iraq in 1991 and 2003. The bipartisan legislation would repeal the 2002 authorization for the use of military force, or AUMF, that Congress passed to allow the 2003 invasion, as well as the 1991 authorization approving the first Gulf War.

Lawmakers have worked without success in recent years to repeal the AUMFs – authorization for use of military force. The White House said Thursday it supports repealing two Iraq war power acts if Congress passes the repeal effort, as lawmakers work to reassert their authority in military intervention abroad.

The resolution is co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana. Kaine said, “The 1991 and 2002 AUMFs are no longer necessary, serve no operational purpose, and run the risk of potential misuse.”

If 60 senators support the procedural vote Thursday, the resolution would likely get a final vote next week. The repeal of the AUMFs would be a major step in reasserting Congress’s authority in military intervention abroad. It would also be a symbolic move, coming nearly 20 years to the day since the U.S. began its “shock and awe” campaign to topple dictator Saddam Hussein.

The Senate’s vote Thursday is a crucial step in the repeal of the AUMFs. If the resolution passes, it will be a major victory for those who have long sought to reassert Congress’s authority in military intervention abroad.