Just Foreign Policy Praises Democratic Calls for Limited and Narrow AUMF
For Immediate Release: September 29, 2014
Contact: Robert Naiman, Just Foreign Policy,
(202) 448-2898 x1, naiman@justforeignpolicy.org
Washington, DC — September 29, 2014
In response to increasing Democratic calls for a limited and narrow authorization of force for confronting ISIS and Nusra in Iraq and Syria, Just Foreign Policy released the following statement by Policy Director Robert Naiman:
“It’s a very encouraging development that so many leading Democratic voices, including President Obama, appear to be finding common ground on the ideas of a time-limited authorization of force for Iraq and Syria, narrowly focused on ISIS/ISIL, Nusra, Al Qaeda and associated forces, that prohibits the use of ground combat troops, and repeals the 2002 Iraq authorization for the use of military force.”
“While President Obama has claimed that he does not need new Congressional authorization – a claim that is disputed – the Administration says that it would prefer a new authorization, one which is targeted and focused. President Obama continues to support repeal of the 2002 Iraq AUMF. President Obama has ruled out the use of U.S. ground combat troops. (The Army Times reports that 70% of troops agree.) The President has outlined a narrow and limited military mission for Syria, focused on terror networks like ISIS, Nusra, and the Khorasan Group, which he rightly says are a more immediate U.S. concern than U.S. disputes with the Syrian government, which does not threaten Americans. While efforts to make the government in Damascus more inclusive are a legitimate and worthy goal of U.S. foreign policy, they are not a legitimate, just, wise or legal goal for the U.S. use of military force, which must focus on confronting threats to Americans and threats to core U.S. national security interests.”
“Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Service Committee,
has sponsored a narrow and limited authorization for the use of force. Kaine’s AUMF includes a one year sunset requiring the President to ask Congress for renewal to extend the mission beyond a year, a prohibition on the use of U.S. ground combat forces, repeal of the 2002 Iraq AUMF, and limits the targets to ISIS/ISIL and associated forces.”
“Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, noting that there is ‘just no appetite in the American public for an open-ended military conflict in Syria,’ has also spoken in favor of a time limit on an authorization for military force and prohibiting the use of ground troops.”
“Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Keith Ellison has called for a ‘narrowly tailored’ authorization of force, “limited in time, space, something we have control so that it just doesn’t go on and on and on.”
“Seventeen Members of Congress – including Rep. Ellison – have co-sponsored a resolution – H. Con. Res. 114 – introduced by CPC co-chair Rep. Raul Grijalva that established a set of four principles for consideration of an Iraq and/or Syria AUMF.
The resolution says that Congress:
– does not support the deployment of ground combat troops in Iraq or Syria;
– should ensure that any grant of authority for force is narrowly tailored and limited; and
– should ensure that any grant of authority for force includes robust reporting requirements.”
“Seven thousand Americans have already stated their support for the CPC principles in a petition at MoveOn. Polls show that the public wants full Congressional debate. Members of Congress should show their support for the public will by creating and endorsing initiatives like H. Con. Res. 114.”