Golden Votes to End 2002 Iraq War Authorization

WASHINGTON — To stand up for Congress' war powers and encourage accountability and meaningful debate before entering into new conflicts in the Middle East, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted this week for a bipartisan repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).

Golden, along with Republican Reps. Ken Buck (CO-04), Scott Perry (PA-04), and Chip Roy (TX-21), Democratic Reps. Dean Phillips (MN-03) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Independent Rep. Justin Amash (MI-03), called last week for the repeal of the 2002 AUMF and rejected overreach by presidents of both parties, who have used the 2002 authorization to engage in conflict without new authorization from Congress.

"This country sends young men and women to war using an AUMF that was authorized almost twenty years ago. But the AUMF was never meant to be a permanent authorization for all conflict in the Middle East," said Congressman Golden. "I served under this AUMF in Iraq and I believe it's well past time for Congress to fulfil its responsibility when sending our military into conflict."

The vote does not alter or repeal the 2001 authorization, which gives the president the ability to respond to individuals involved with the September 11th attacks. Golden has called for the 2001 AUMF to be debated and replaced with an alternative that is more narrowly targeted to today's terrorist threats.