Legislative Background on War Authority
Recent Action by Congress on Repealing Existing AUMFs
On September 14, 2001, Congress passed a resolution authorizing the President to use “all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, committed, or aided” the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Senate approved the measure unanimously, and the House passed it, 420 to 1, with Representative Barbara Lee (CA-D), casting the lone dissenting vote. President George W. Bush signed it into law four days later. In October 2002, Congress approved and the President signed, a second Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) this one against Iraq, to defend U.S. national security against “the…
