Tag Archives: Authorization on the Use of Military Force

Foreign Policy, International, Politics, US

Opposition Growing Against ISIS War Authorization

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War Authorization Might Not Even Get Out of Committee

by Jason Ditz, March 05, 2015

The Obama Administration’s Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS was already facing an uphill battle, after the White House bragged about deliberately vague wording in the resolution that would let them do virtually anything.

At this point, there’s not a single Democrat in the entire Senate pitching for the bill, and with a number of hawks in the Republican majority also annoyed that the AUMF isn’t explici5tly broader, it’s hard to see it passing.

Sen. Bob Corker (R – TN), the extremely hawkish head of the Foreign Relations Committee, is warning that if there isn’t some support from Democrats he might decide to scrap the committee vote outright, meaning the bill probably would never even make it to the floor.

In spite of still not having a war authorization, however, the Obama Administration continues to escalate the war against ISIS, and has treated the AUMF as an afterthought.

International, Politics, US

Rep. Justin Amash has tough questions for Obama after ISIS speech

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GRAND RAPIDS, September 11, 2014 – Wednesday night, Congressman Justin Amash (R-Michigan) had several questions following President Barack Obama’s address to the nation regarding America’s response to ISIS. Obama announced plans to expand the U.S. air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) through “a comprehensive and sustained greater terrorism strategy” and maintained that he had the authority to act without congressional approval.

Amash took to his Facebook page to express his concerns stating, “When our government orders our young men and women into harm’s way, our leaders have a duty to define the mission, set a plausible strategy, and explain why the risk of our children’s lives and our citizens’ resources is justified. President Obama has failed to fulfill those obligations.”

In Amash’s opinion, Obama’s speech lacked many basic, yet vital details the American people need before further military action is taken. Some of these details include the cost, duration, risk and contributions of allies for this undertaking. You can read Amash’s full comments here:

Post by Justin Amash.

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International, US

House Rejects Measure to End War on Terror

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This article was written by guest contributor Jason Ditz.

Rep. Adam Schiff’s (D – CA) efforts to repeal the 2001 Authorization on the Use of Military Force (AUMF), which the Bush and Obama Administrations have used as the legal cover for virtually all military operations since, failed today in a 191-233 vote.

The bill had initially been seen as having some administration support, but that myth evaporated after yesterday’s fiasco in the Senate, where officials argued the AUMF had nothing to do with anything, and that President Obama would attack whomever he pleased, whenever he pleased. The officials came out for vague, non-specific changes to AUMF, but not for repeal.

This led hawks to angrily condemn Rep. Schiff’s bill, with Rep. Mac Thornberry (R – TX) accusing him of having “forgotten” 9/11. The Senate’s AUMF efforts don’t look promising either, with some now arguing in favor of “revisions” that would greatly expand the war powers to authorize President Obama’s attacks on groups not even cursorily linked to al-Qaeda.

Underscoring just how little appetite there is for even the illusion of change, Rep. Adam Smith (D – WA) introduced an amendment to allow transfer of Gitmo detainees, something President Obama demanded, and that too was rejected. The White House had threatened a veto if they didn’t get this, but where they stand now is unclear.

In the end, the $601 billion military spending bill, which was bigger than even the Pentagon sought, passed easily in a 325-98 vote, and is now just waiting for the Senate to come up with their version, so they can reconcile the two.

 

This article is from Antiwar.com.  A friend in need is a friend indeed – and we need your help to fight this brazen state repression. We’re fighting to restore constitutional government in America – but we need your tax-deductible donation to do it. Please, make your contribution today!”