[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 105 (Friday, June 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E813-E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IRAN AND 2001 AUMF REPEAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 21, 2019

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, this week, the U.S. inched 
closer to a dangerous military confrontation with Iran.

[[Page E814]]

  From President Trump's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the 
Iran deal to alienating our key allies and imposing crushing sanctions 
on Iran, it's clear that Trump Administration has no interest in 
pursuing principled, diplomatic engagement to resolve our differences.
  In addition, Secretary of State Pompeo once again floated the idea of 
using the 2001 AUMF as the legal basis for the use of force against 
Iran--allowing the Administration to circumvent Congress.
  This is a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving the overly-broad 
2001 AUMF on the books.
  That's why I was proud that the House passed a federal spending 
package this week that included my language to sunset the 2001 AUMF 
after 8 months.
  This sent a clear message to the Administration that the 2001 AUMF 
cannot be used as the legal authority to go to war and that it MUST 
come to Congress to seek authority for the use of force against Iran--
as required by the Constitution.
  Congress must work to repeal the 2001 AUMF and ensure that the U.S. 
doesn't barrel into another disastrous war in the Middle East.

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