<\/p>\n
By\u00a0Andrew Kerr
\nWestern Journalism<\/p>\n
The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee took Washington D.C. by surprise Thursday, approving an amendment that revokes a 2001 law which gives the president authority to wage war against al-Qaeda and its affiliates.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers on the committee\u00a0applauded<\/a>\u00a0when the amendment to revoke the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) was added to a defense spending bill by a near-unanimous voice vote.<\/p>\n The\u00a0amendment, introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., would give Congress 240 days to pass new legislation granting the president executive authority to wage war against ISIS. The 2001 AUMF would be repealed at the end of the 240 days.<\/p>\n Critics of the AUMF say it has been abused by the executive branch to wage endless war without the consent of Congress. The law has been used to\u00a0justify military actions 37 times in 14 countries since 2001, including the Iraq War and the ongoing fight against ISIS.<\/p>\n The amendment has a long way to go before it becomes law. It\u2019s unclear whether the Senate will approve the measure and include it in the final draft of a defense spending bill that will inevitably\u00a0be sent to President Donald Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last 16 years, it has become increasingly clear that this AUMF has essentially provided the president, any president, the authority to wage war in perpetuity,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n Lee said she was the only member of Congress to\u00a0vote against<\/a>\u00a0the AUMF in 2001 because \u201cI knew then it would provide a blank check to wage war anywhere, anytime, for any length by any president.\u201d<\/p>\n Whoa. My amdt to sunset 2001 AUMF was adopted in DOD Approps markup! GOP & Dems agree: a floor debate & vote on endless war is long overdue. pic.twitter.com\/FS8LfYWo5J<\/a><\/p>\n — Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) June 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n