Amash Dear Colleague Letter on Authorization for Use of [Perpetual] Military Force

[Lucille]

Amash Dear Colleague Letter on Authorization for Use of Military Force

Today, the House will begin consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act. Section 1034 of this 920-page bill contains perhaps the broadest authorization for use of military force (AUMF) Congress has ever considered. This monumental legislation will affirmatively and preemptively give the president unprecedented power to launch attacks anywhere in the world, even within the United States. The bipartisan Amash-Lee-Conyers-Jones-Nadler-Paul amendment (No. 50) strikes this provision, and we ask that you stand with us and support this amendment on the floor.

Section 1034 authorizes American military force against a broad and unknown class of persons. Unlike the AUMF Congress passed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the new authorization targets “al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated forces”—an undefined and potentially limitless group. “Associated forces” don’t need to be connected to 9/11. “Associated forces” don’t need to have fought against the United States. “Associated forces” even may include American citizens.

Yet Section 1034 does not stop with “associated forces.” The new authorization green lights American military force against any person who “ha[s] supported hostilities in aid of” an organization that “substantially support[s]” associated forces. An American citizen who donates to a charity that, unbeknownst to him, financially supports an associated force potentially could be targeted by our country’s own military under the new authorization...

[libertarian4321]

Interesting group of sponsors on that bill.

[Lucille]

War-weary lawmakers send Obama a message

The administration opposes language in the bill revising the authorization to use military force established after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Republican proponents say the provision mirrors what the Obama administration has spelled out as its justification for prosecuting various terrorist cases. Critics say it would give the president unlimited authority not only to detain terror suspects and prosecute them in military tribunals, but also to go to war

The American Civil Liberties Union said the provisions "authorizes a worldwide war against terrorism suspects and against nations suspected of supporting them."

Republicans said the threat has changed since 2001 and Congress needs to respond. An effort by Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., and several Democrats to eliminate the provision failed on a vote of 234-187.

[FrankRep]

Rep. Justin Amash

The House of Representatives failed to remove a provision from the annual Defense Authorization bill that would give the President virtually unlimited war-making power in Libya and elsewhere, rejecting an amendment by freshman Republican Justin Amash of Michigan by a 187-234 vote.

Rep. Justin Amash Seeks Limits on Presidential War-making


Thomas R. Eddlem | The New American
27 May 2011


Flashback:

Rep. Justin Amash Calls Libya Action Unconstitutional

Freshman Congressman Justin Amash (R-Mich.) claims President Obama is violating the U.S. Constitution by committing U.S. armed forces to enforce a no-fly-zone over Libya without approval from Congress, and he's got a strong witness in his corner: Senator Barack Obama.

[sailingaway]

This is so depressing.

[Lucille]

What I don't get is how the Republicans can complain about CONgress not being consulted about Obama's Libyan War, and at the same time vote YAY! on giving the exec. branch sole discretion on going to war, anywhere, anytime, for any reason, without having to consult CONgress, and furthermore, that Obama opposes it, especially considering he's already doing it!

[affa]

What I don't get is how the Republicans can complain about CONgress not being consulted about Obama's Libyan War, and at the same time vote YAY! on giving the exec. branch sole discretion on going to war, anywhere, anytime, for any reason, without having to consult CONgress, and furthermore, that Obama opposes it, especially considering he's already doing it!

Because most of them are actually on the same team.