To a US Senator: support repeal of the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs

Personalize. Senators on Foreign Relations or Armed Services committees carry particular weight on this issue. Naming any specific recent operation that’s been authorized under stretched AUMF interpretations gives the letter additional concreteness.

Dear Senator [Last Name],

I’m writing as a constituent in [city/town] to ask you to support repeal of the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force, and to support a replacement framework that restores meaningful congressional war authority.

Congress has not declared war since 1942. Subsequent military actions have proceeded under AUMFs that have been used by multiple administrations far beyond their original scope. The 2001 AUMF, passed three days after 9/11, has been used by four administrations to justify military operations in over a dozen countries — including operations against organizations that did not exist when the AUMF was passed. The 2002 Iraq AUMF and the 1991 Gulf War authorization remain technically in force despite the conflicts they authorized having ended decades ago.

The substantive concern is structural. Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war. The pattern of stale, broadly interpreted AUMFs has effectively transferred that authority to the executive branch. The reform agenda:

1. Repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs outright. The conflicts they authorized have ended; the authorizations should be retired.

2. Replace the 2001 AUMF with a framework that includes specific named target organizations, geographic limits, sunset provisions, and substantial reporting requirements. The Kaine-Young replacement framework in recent sessions provides a working template.

3. Modernize the War Powers Resolution with stronger introduction-of-hostilities definitions, expedited withdrawal procedures, and clear sunset provisions on use of force.

4. Substantially expand reporting requirements on military operations, civilian casualties, target lists, and strategic objectives.

The political coalition for AUMF reform has been bipartisan in recent sessions. Senators Tim Kaine and Todd Young have led the effort. The 2002 AUMF repeal advanced through the Senate in 2023. The 2001 AUMF repeal has been harder because it requires a replacement framework — but the substantive work on the replacement framework has been done.

[Personalize: name any specific concern. Examples: “I served / have family who served in [specific operation]”; “Our state has been affected by [deployment pattern]”; “I’m a constituent who pays attention to foreign policy and watches the AUMF debates”; “I work in [field that intersects foreign policy] and have direct concern about the structural pattern”.]

I’d appreciate knowing your position on AUMF repeal and on the broader War Powers reform agenda.

Thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

[Your name] [Your address]