Dr. Rand Paul Releases Statement Opposing Proposed Troop Increases in Afghanistan

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul released the following statement opposing proposed troop increases in Afghanistan:

"The mission in Afghanistan has lost its purpose, and I think it is a terrible idea to send any more troops into that war," said Dr. Paul.

Dr. Paul has been a leading advocate for returning war-making powers back to Congress. Earlier this year he introduced an amendment to the NDAA to repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs), and he will do so again as soon as Congress reconvenes.

His amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the President cannot conduct ongoing U.S. military operations in Afghanistan without an AUMF from Congress authorizing such conduct. He strongly believes that if the President and Congress want to continue the war in Afghanistan, then at the very least Congress should vote on it.

BACKGROUND:

Amendment to Repeal 2001 and 2002 AUMFs - This amendment finds that neither the 2001 nor 2002 AUMFs authorize the use of U.S. forces to engage in direct or indirect actions against ISIS. Thus a new AUMF is required.

(a) Finding: Congress finds that neither the 2001 AUMF (9/11) or the 2002 (Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom) authorize the use of US military force against ISIS.

(b) Sense of Congress: The President cannot conduct ongoing US military operations against ISIS without an AUMF from Congress authorizing such conduct. Congress should debate and pass a new authorization.

Language in the 2001 AUMF: In General.--That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

Language in the 2002 AUMF: The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to-- (1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq;

Source