U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith recently voted to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force that cleared the way for the Iraq War and subsequent military activities in the Middle East.
“Congressional authorizations to use force must not be blank checks to the executive branch, no matter which party controls it,” Griffith said. “Any use of force in the present would be far removed from the circumstances cited to justify the 2002 AUMF against the regime of Saddam Hussein, who was executed in 2006. Fewer than 15 percent of the members of Congress in office today were even here to vote on that AUMF. Although more needs to be done, the vote to repeal the 2002 AUMF is a step toward reclaiming Congress’ proper constitutional role in exercising war powers.”
