(WASHINGTON D.C., 6/17/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the House of Representative’s vote to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq and called on Congress to end all American military entanglements in the Middle East.
The 2002 AUMF authorized the use of American armed forces against the Saddam Hussein regime. If the Senate votes to repeal it, the President’s ability to order military actions in Iraq without congressional approval would come to an end. The separate 2001 AUMF, which authorizes attacks on those connected with 9/11 terrorist attacks and gives the president even more sweeping powers, is not impacted by the repeal of the 2002 AUMF.
SEE: House Repeals 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Although we welcome the House decision to repeal the Iraq War authorization, this belated repeal of a law that should have never been passed in the first place does not bring back the hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis who died as a result of President Bush’s illegal and immoral war.
“Every member of Congress who gave President Bush approval to invade Iraq owes an apology to the people of Iraq, American troops, and everyone else impacted by this disastrous war over the past 20 years.
“The invasion of Iraq serves as an enduring reminder that Congress must end all of our nation’s harmful and counterproductive military entanglements in the Middle East, from Yemen to Syria to Palestine and elsewhere.”
CAIR has previously called for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
SEE: CAIR: Iraq War Dead Milestone Reinforces Need for Withdrawal
SEE: CAIR Calls for Exit Strategy From Iraq
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com