Sunset for the Authorization for the Use of Military Force ...

[SergeyDovlatov]

Statement Introducing a Bill to Establish a Sunset for the
Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002
(Public Law 107-243)


June 7, 2007

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to establish a sunset for the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Force Against Iraq (PL 107-243). There are several active pieces of legislation that would rescind the authorization to use force against Iraq , but the approach of this legislation is quite different. This legislation would sunset the original authorization six months after it is in enacted, which would give Congress plenty of time to consider anew the authority for Iraq.

The rationale for this sunset is that according to the 2002 authorization for Iraq , the president was authorized to use military force against Iraq to achieve the following two specific objectives only:

“(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq ; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq ”

It should be obvious to both supporters and critics of our military action in Iraq that our military has achieved both legal objectives. Our military quickly removed the regime of Saddam Hussein, against whom the United Nations resolutions were targeted. And a government has been elected in post-Saddam Iraq that has met with US approval, fulfilling the first objective of the authorization.

With both objectives of the original authorization completely satisfied, Congress has a Constitutional obligation to revisit this issue and provide needed oversight and policy guidance. We ignore this obligation at risk to the United States and, very importantly, to our soldiers in harm’s way in Iraq .

Unlike other proposals, this bill does not criticize the president’s handling of the war. It does not cut off funds for the troops. Nor does this bill set a timetable for our withdrawal. I strongly believe that this legislation will enjoy broad support among both those in favor of our action in Iraq and those who favor ending the war, and I am encouraged by the bi-partisan support I have received when seeking original co-sponsors. Congress is obligated to consider anew the authority for Iraq sooner rather than later and I hope more of my colleagues will join me as co-sponsors of this legislation.

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Also reported by http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?00e3149a-79b9-4289-b2df-8c82ddb80a92
Under the legislation co-authored by Abercrombie and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), the original war authorization passed by Congress in October 2002 would expire 180 days from enactment of the bill, and a new authorization by Congress would be required to continue the war in Iraq.

“It should be obvious to supporters and critics of the war in Iraq that our military has achieved both objectives authorized in 2002: removal of Saddam Hussein and the establishment of a democratically-elected government,” said Paul, a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “With both objectives of the original authorization completely satisfied, Congress has a Constitutional obligation to revisit this issue and provide needed oversight and policy guidance.”

“If President Bush believes the war in Iraq needs to continue, he would have six months to convince Congress and the American people that it should be authorized,” Abercrombie said. “This debate would be about the need and the wisdom of continuing the war, with no need for recriminations about who voted for what in 2002, whether we should have invaded Iraq in the first place, or how competently the war has been conducted for the last four years. Those issues would be off the table. The only question would be, ‘Where do we go from here?’”

“Unlike other proposals, this bill does not criticize the president’s handling of the war,” Paul pointed out. “It does not cut off funds for the troops, nor set a timetable for our withdrawal.”

Both Congressmen said the measure should be supported by those in favor of continued action in Iraq and those who favor ending the war. Bill co-sponsors include Reps. Walter Jones (R-NC), William Delahunt, Martin Meehan and Richard Neal (all D-MA), John Duncan (R-TN), Marci Kaptur (D-OH), Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Michael Michaud (D-ME) and Nancy Boyda (D-KS).