Democrats Seek To Repeal AUMF

The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, passed in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States, has allowed the President to conduct counterterrorism operations overseas. Long derided as overbroad (yet still used by President Obama to justify questionable foreign decisions) by opponents, two Democrats now want to repeal it.

As the Associated Press reported:

Sens. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Chris Murphy of Connecticut say Congress never intended to authorize a perpetual war when it passed the legislation more than a decade ago.
They introduced a bill Friday and said the president and Congress should work together on any replacement measure needed to fight al-Qaida after 2018.

As Conn reported, President Obama is seeking a new AUMF at the same time that his fellow party-members are seeking to repeal the old one. And these two goals are not in conflict. Indeed, the new AUMF will allow President Obama a blank check while also giving the President cover to repeal the old one.