Today, Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a resolution emphasizing that the current Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) did not provide legal justification for war with Iran. 

“The resolution I introduced today acknowledges a simple fact: The current Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) do not provide legal justification for war with Iran. From this starting point, Congress should revisit the AUMF and have a thoughtful, bipartisan discussion on how best to approach this subject to address current and future threats against the United States.”

Background:

• In June 2019, the Trump Administration stated that the 2001 and 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) did not allow the U.S. to engage in war with Iran
• This week, Democratic Leadership brought forward a vote on
  • H.R. 2456 which calls for repealing of the 2002 AUMF and
  • H.R. 5543 which blocks funds for the use of any military force in or against Iran without Congressional declaration of war, a new AUMF, or a national emergency. 
• Both bills were brought up for votes after recent altercations with the country of Iran and in response to perceived escalations towards war.
• In response, Congressman Curtis introduced this resolution to reaffirm the sense of Congress that the 2001 and 2002 AUMF do not provide legal justification for war with Iran.
• Throughout 2019, Iran has engaged in reckless escalation culminating in the December 31, 2019 attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad by Iranian proxies, which the President responded to with a targeted killing of Soleimani.
• The Resolution also acknowledges the Trump Administration’s restraint and appropriate response to Iranian escalation throughout 2019.

Text available [HERE].

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