Common Defense Veterans Applaud Senate Passing Repeal of Iraq War AuthorizationS

WASHINGTON — The Senate, in a historic vote, has repealed the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force.

Common Defense, our veteran members, and the multitude of coalition partners and groups we work with celebrate this long overdue vote that will restore accountability and War Powers to their proper place: the United States Congress. This vote marks a formal end to the Gulf War and the disastrous War in Iraq.

The Iraq AUMF, in particular, has been distorted over 20 years of military action and combat to exceed its original mandate. The Senate has rightly voted to cease its use. Common Defense led the charge over the past few years to end unjust wars and seek new visions for America's foreign policy through our End the Forever War campaign, culminating in the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. Our commitment to a progressive vision of diplomacy and foreign policy continues with our advocacy on a host of legislation and centers around this repeal of the AUMFs that have outlived their original intent.

"As a veteran of the War in Iraq, I saw firsthand the utter devastation the war had on ordinary Iraqis and the ordinary troops who were sent there. Keeping these war authorizations open after all these years is a sad reminder of our country's mistake. We need to ensure it never happens again, and that begins with this repeal and continues by requiring congressional authorization, after a full public debate, before America ever sends our troops into harm's way again," said Naveed Shah, Political Director for Common Defense, who served with the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2011.

Gloria Hamilton, a retired Army Sergeant First Class and member of Common Defense, served two tours in Iraq and, upon hearing the vote results said, "I am overjoyed and relieved all at the same time. The United States has finally brought an end to an era of darkness and destruction that has destroyed the lives of many of my fellow service members. I am honored to see that they see us. I pray that this will further result in the United States thinking long and hard about the impact war has on those who serve this nation before ever committing to another war of any kind."

"America's invasion of Iraq was justified by misinformation, lies, and misguided notions. Seeing Congress finally repeal this authorization is a moment of celebration after the recent 20th anniversary of the invasion. Nevertheless, there is so much more for us to do to ensure America's foreign policy leads with diplomacy and never again allows our nation to run headlong into unjust wars," stated JoJo Sweatt, Common Defense's Organizing Director, and Marine Combat Veteran who served in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.