Paul bill ends use military force in Iraq

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and a bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq, which they say would formally end the war in Iraq if it were passed.

The AUMF was first passed in 2002, which launched a war that lasted nearly nine years. The last U.S. troops left the country at the end of 2011.

{mosads}”Two years ago, President Obama declared the war in Iraq over,” Paul said Tuesday. “With the return of our troops and practical side of the mission concluded, I feel it is necessary to bring the war to an official and legal end.

“This bipartisan piece of legislation expressly preserves the President’s authority to protect our embassy and personnel in Iraq, and ensures that our military involvement in Iraq is officially closed and that any future engagement will require Congressional authorization and support, as required by the Constitution.”

Paul introduced the bill along with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who agreed it’s time to formally end military activities in Iraq.

“Now that American troops have come home, it makes sense to bring this chapter in our nation’s history to a close,” Wyden said.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has introduced similar legislation in the House, along with five House Democrats.