In a very encouraging sign, the US House Progressive Caucus and Liberty Caucus will hold a joint meeting today (Feb. 27th) at 2:30 Eastern time to discuss strategies to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Force (AUMF) against forces that attacked the US on Sept. 11, 2001.
According to an email sent out by the office of US Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), the “overly broad and outdated AUMF represents a critical deterioration of congressional oversight of military operations.”
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) of the House Liberty Caucus will be among the Members from both Congressional Caucus groups joining Rep. Lee at the event.
Attendees will hear expert testimony from Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, Ret., Senior Fellow & Military Expert at Defense Priorities, Rita Siemion, International Legal Counsel for Human Rights First, and Michael McPhearson, Executive Director of Veterans For Peace.
The original AUMF has been stretched beyond recognition, from beginning as a justified retaliation for an attack on US soil to justification for never-ending wars in the Middle East and beyond. The Trump Administration has recently suggested that the 2001 AUMF is all the authorization needed for the US military to remain in Syria indefinitely, even after ISIS is completely defeated.
The efforts of Reps. Lee and Amash are to be applauded. The Ron Paul Institute strongly holds the view that a broad, beyond Left/Right coalition is the best way to bring about a more peaceful, pro-American foreign policy.
For those in the Capitol Hill area, the meeting can be attended at 2358-C Rayburn House Office Building. The press conference will also be livestreamed on Rep. Barbara Lee’s Facebook page.
