Use of Force Termination Resolution

House Chamber

January 9, 2020

Mr. Speaker:

Our Constitution is clear: only Congress can start a war, but only the President can wage it. CONGRESS started this war with the AUMF in 2002, and it remains in effect today. The Founders didn’t want one individual getting us into a war -- but once in, they didn’t want 535 squabbling prima donnas second-guessing every decision on the battlefield.

President Trump needed no other reason to order the attack that killed Soleimani IN IRAQ beyond the simple fact that he was acting as an enemy combatant against U.S. forces in a war zone in which the Congress had authorized the President to take military action.

I happen to believe the AUMF was a colossal mistake. This resolution doesn’t correct that mistake. It compounds it – by deliberately undermining the position of the United States Government and the armed forces WE sent to Iraq – at a perilous moment – which makes it not only unconstitutional, but disgraceful.

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Remarks by Congressman McClintock in oppostion to H. Con. Res. 83.