July, 19 2017, 12:45pm EDT
Congresswoman Lee Blasts Dead of Night Removal of 2001 AUMF Repeal Amendment
Late last night, Congresswoman Lee's amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF - which passed with bipartisan support in the House Appropriations Committee - was stripped from the FY2018 Defense, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch and Energy and Water Development National Security Appropriations Act.
WASHINGTON
Late last night, Congresswoman Lee's amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF - which passed with bipartisan support in the House Appropriations Committee - was stripped from the FY2018 Defense, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch and Energy and Water Development National Security Appropriations Act. She released the following statement:
"Over the years, I've seen Republican leadership deploy every manner of undemocratic, underhanded tactics in Congress. But stripping my bipartisan amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF - in the dead of night, without a vote - may be a new low from Speaker Ryan.
"Congress has been missing in action on matters of war and peace for nearly sixteen years. Republican leadership showed last night that they will do anything to maintain this status quo.
"Refusing to debate and vote on our ongoing wars is an abdication of our constitutional responsibility. Our men and women in uniform deserve better.
"Speaker Ryan should explain why he is undermining the democratic process and acting in such an autocratic manner. What is he afraid of?"
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a Democrat, represents the 13th District in California.
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