The Biden administration has come out in support of legislation that would bring about an official end to the Iraq War and Persian Gulf War
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President Joe Biden’s intent to sign it, which the Office and Budget Management announced in a statement on Thursday, marks a significant moment in the decadeslong debate on whether to repeal the dual AUMFs despite both wars ending.
SENATE PANEL ADVANCES BILL TO REPEAL IRAQ AND GULF WAR AUTHORIZATIONS
“The Administration notes that the United States conducts no ongoing military activities that rely primarily on the 2002 AUMF, and no ongoing military activities that rely on the 1991 AUMF, as a domestic legal basis,” the statement said. “Repeal of these authorizations would have no impact on current U.S. military operations and would support this Administration’s commitment to a strong and comprehensive relationship with our Iraqi partners.”
The Senate is expected to hold its first procedural vote on the legislation later on Thursday.
Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have led the charge in the Senate and on the foreign relations committee.
“Later this month, we will mark the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Today, Iraq is a partner of the United States and critical to efforts to counter Iran,” Young, who is one of the authors of the bill, said last week when the committee voted in favor of the legislation. “Repealing these outdated AUMFs will demonstrate America’s commitment to Iraqi sovereignty. Just as important, it is vital to restoring the proper role of Congress in authorizing the use of military force and affirmatively stating when conflicts are over.”
Kaine previously told the Washington Examiner that at least 65 senators are expected to back the bill, all but guaranteeing its passage.
The White House had previously vowed to work with Congress to repeal the two AUMFs, noting they would be replaced with a “narrow and specific framework” that would allow the U.S. to deploy military action while “ending the forever wars.”
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The effort to repeal the AUMFs has gone on for years, and it’s not the first time it’s passed through a chamber of Congress. It passed as recently as in the last Congress when it passed the House, but those efforts failed to make it to a vote in the deadlocked Senate.
Biden, who voted for the AUMF in 2002 as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, supported the effort during the last Congress as well.
