Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Votes to Repeal 2002 Iraq War Authorization of Military Force
Jacobs: “I was in middle school when Congress passed this authorization”
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) voted today to repeal the 2002 Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) that authorized the war in Iraq, which began in 2003.
Congresswoman Jacobs is the third-youngest member of Congress and was in middle school when the 2002 AUMF was put in place. A member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Jacobs supports repealing the 1957, 1991, and 2002 AUMFs, and repealing and replacing the 2001 AUMF.
During floor debate on the legislation, Congresswoman Jacobs spoke on the House floor. Her remarks are as follows: (Video: Twitter, Youtube)
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise today to support this critical legislation to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force and I want to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the Chair of this committee, for their enduring leadership on this issue.
I was in middle school when Congress passed this authorization to use force against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. And today, as a member of this body, I am voting to repeal it.
I make this point to remind my colleagues that the decisions around war and peace are some of the most consequential ones we make here. And my generation has spent our entire adult lives in the shadow of two long and protracted wars.
I’m proud to represent San Diego — a military community that has made incredible sacrifices because of that vote in 2002. And now it is time to take it off the books.
Repealing this authorization would not impact any of our current military operations. But repealing it will prevent a future President from abusing it, and reclaim Congress’ rightful role in authorizing war, ensuring our service members know that they are not being sent to harm's way without a full debate of this representative body.
There is nothing rushed about something that’s taken 20 years.
I urge my colleagues to support this repeal, and I yield back.