(Washington, D.C.)- Today, the House of Representatives passed two measures as amendments, Rep. Barbara Lee’s H.R. 2456, repealing the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), and Rep. Ro Khanna’s H.R. 5543, the No War Against Iraq Act, to limit the President’s unauthorized use of military force against Iran. Rep. Albio Sires is a cosponsor of both these measures, which passed the House as amendments to a different legislative vehicle.

“The President cannot introduce U.S. forces into an unprompted offensive combat situation without the express consent and authorization of Congress,” said Rep. Sires. “My constituents have been clear that they do not want a war with Iran, and these two measures that I cosponsored will reassert Congress’ constitutional authority to exercise oversight and authorize the use of military forces. These measures, in tandem with the War Powers Resolution, which the House passed earlier this month, will ensure that Congress, and only Congress, can authorize the use of military force for non-defensive engagement with Iran.”

Rep. Ro Khanna’s (D-CA) amendment would utilize Congress’ power of the purse to prevent any funds from being used for unauthorized military action against Iran and clarifies that war with Iran has not been authorized by the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs. Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) amendment would repeal the 2002 AUMF.
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