House Lawmakers Renew Call on Speaker Ryan to Bring Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) to House Floor

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Richard Hanna today joined with 24 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Ryan calling on him to bring an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State (IS) to the House floor for debate and consideration.

“Congress cannot continue to abdicate its constitutional authority to authorize military action abroad,” the bipartisan group of lawmakers wrote, calling on Speaker Ryan “to prioritize the consideration of an authorization for the use of military force against ISIL before the House as soon as possible.”

Beginning in August 2014, President Obama has expanded U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria against IS.  However, Congress has not yet been given the opportunity to openly debate such action or vote to authorize it.  

The Constitution provides Congress the power to declare war and in accordance with the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Congress must vote to authorize the use of force in any situation where U.S. military personnel are engaged abroad for a period in excess of 60 days. 

The letter, which was led by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Walter B. Jones (R-NC), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT), follows up on a previous bipartisan letter sent to Speaker Ryan in November 2015, which urged him to take action on this important issue.

The full letter, sent today, can be found below:

The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker 
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Ryan:

We write to follow up on our request that you bring before the House a formal authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or Daesh. 

We commend your statements in December 2015 in support of updating an AUMF to reflect U.S. efforts against ISIL in Iraq and Syria and agree with your statement that “Congress is the one who declares war. This is Congress’ responsibility.” Further, we appreciate your recent efforts to explore support within your Caucus for a debate and a vote on an ISIL-AUMF. 

While members may have differing views on the scope of a new authorization for the use of military force, we can all agree that Congress has a Constitutional duty to debate and declare war. Indeed, the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill included Sense of Congress language adopted on a bipartisan basis in the House Appropriations Committee stating that: 

(A) Congress finds that –
(1) The United States has been engaged in military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) for more than 8 months;
(2) President Obama submitted an authorization for the use of military force against ISIL in February 2015; and 
(3) Under article 1, section 8 of the Constitution, Congress has the authority to “declare war”.
(b) Therefore, Congress has a constitutional duty to debate and determine whether or not to authorize the use of military force against ISIL. 

Congress cannot continue to abdicate its constitutional authority to authorize military action abroad. We stand ready to work with you to prioritize the consideration of an authorization for the use of military force against ISIL before the House as soon as possible. 

Sincerely, 

Members of Congress