Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) applauded the passage of  H.R. 256 to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

The 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force was passed 20 years ago to utilize military forces to combat the Saddam Hussein Regime in Iraq.  Today, almost fifteen years after the death of Saddam Hussein, this outdated authorization has no relevance to the threats our nation faces. If the 2002  AUMF remains on the books, it could be used for military action Congress never intended to authorize.

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California for her courage and leadership in championing this critical issue. Two decades after casting the single “no” vote against the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, we have seen every administration since utilize the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to conduct war far beyond the scope Congress ever intended. Let me be very clear: the AUMF of 2002 has been overwhelmingly abused, and its repeal is long overdue. H.R. 256 presents Congress with the opportunity to reassert our Constitutional authority on matters of war and peace — under the constitution — that we have for too long allowed to be abused by the Executive branch. However, our work is not done.  This effort extends beyond repealing the 2002 AUMF – we must also work to repeal the overly broad 2001 AUMF so that no future president has the unilateral power to plunge us into endless wars.” 

This is the first time this legislation will be considered by the House as a standalone bill, and the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy in support of this profound legislation. The 2002 AUMF authorizing force against Iraq contains no sunset provision, which leaves it on the books indefinitely and creates a danger that Presidents will use it to justify military action that Congress never intended to authorize. H.R 256 would repeal the 2002 AUMF in its entirety.

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration,  a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a Senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2021

Media contact: Remmington Belford Remmington.belford@mail.house.gov c: 202.480.5737