Ellison Adds Support for Ending Broad Use of Military Force

[annm4peace]

For Immediate Release Contact: Tim Schumann

Friday, October 01, 2010 202.225.4755

[e-mail]



Ellison Adds Support for Ending Broad Use of Military Force



Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement in support of legislation to sunset and repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). On September 29, 2010, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA) introduced H.R. 6282, To repeal Public Law 107-40, which was enacted by the 107th Congress in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks:



I am proud to support legislation introduced this week by Representative Barbara Lee to repeal the existing Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). As members of Congress, we should retain our constitutional responsibility of consent to military action. We endanger our democracy and impede our ability to promote peace by authorizing force without proper constitutionally mandated Congressional oversight.



This broad authorization was used recklessly by the Bush Administration to justify warrantless surveillance, wiretapping, indefinite detention practices, torture, extrajudicial killings and an assertion of authority to wage war. These practices violate the spirit of our democracy and damage our credibility as peace-makers throughout the world.



I am proud to support the repeal of this authorization of force and to reclaim the responsibility of the Congress as a co-equal branch of the Federal Government, ensuring that critical checks and balances are preserved when it matters most.

[kenny blankenship]

1. Time to wrap it up.

Take your power back, Congress.