Congressman Kim Votes to Restore American People’s Voice in Decision to Go to War

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to pass legislation that would ensure that the decision to send American forces into harm’s way is done in line with the Constitution.  These pieces of legislations aim to stop the continued exploitation of an 18-year old Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) specifically designed to target Saddam Hussein and his regime.  This outdated AUMF does not and should not form the basis for military engagement in the Middle East two decades later.

“Our military service members in the Middle East deserve clarity of mission.  Deploying them under an 18-year old authorization against a Saddam Hussein regime that no longer exists is not what our service members deserve.  We face real threats in the Middle East, and dusting off old playbooks won’t help us develop the strategy and approach we need.  The American people need to be a part of these decisions going forward as our Founding Fathers intended.”

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Prior to serving in Congress, Congressman Kim served in Afghanistan as Strategic Advisor to Generals David Petraeus and John Allen. Kim went on to serve as Director of Iraq in Obama’s National Security Council where he coordinated the crisis response to countering the rise of ISIS.

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