Senate votes against repeal of 2001 authorization for use of military force
Source: thinkprogress
Sep 13, 2017, 12:57 pm
Almost 16 years to the day it was first passed, the Senate voted to table an amendment by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) that would have repealed the 2001 Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) 61 to 31. This was the first time in 15 years the full Senate has voted on Congress’ role in initiating war.
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The vote on the amendment was tabled over concerns a repeal of the AUMF without a direct replacement would put the country’s national security in danger. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) called the amendment “premature” and “irresponsible,” however he expressed a need for an updated AUMF that is specific to the fight against ISIS. The White House, however, isn’t looking for changes to the 2001 authorization, according to Legislative Director Marc Short.
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The 60 words that comprise the AUMF have since been used to justify at least 37 military operations in 14 countries, including not just the war in Iraq, but also the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. These operations were allowed in part because of the authorization’s broad language:
“That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.”..............................
Read more: https://thinkprogress.org/senate-votes-to-kill-an-amendment-that-would-repeal-the-2001-aumf-9bf8909f6bbe/
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.................The Senate voted 61-36 in a procedural motion to kill Paul's amendment, which would have repealed the two Authorizations for Use of Military Force after six months, giving Congress a window to draft a new, updated war authorization.............................
..............The vote did not break down along party lines. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois were among the Democrats joining Paul in his effort to sunset the current war authorizations.
All of the Democrats generating buzz about a potential 2020 presidential run, including Warren, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, voted with Paul.
Thirteen Democrats voted with most Republicans to defeat the measure
Just two Republicans other than Paul, Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Dean Heller of Nevada, voted for the amendment.
Paul was also opposed by both Republicans and Democrats, including the two leaders of the Senate armed services committee, Republican John McCain of Arizona and Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island......................
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