Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo voted against the Lee Amendment to HR 550, which includes language to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists (AUMF).
Ahead of the vote, Palazzo delivered the following remarks in opposition of the AUMF repeal (Click here to view Congressman Palazzo’s remarks):
I want to thank my friend, Mr. McCaul, for yielding me time.
Madam Speaker,
The amendment before us today, is another example of the Democrats most recent campaign to undermine our military, our national security and as always, President Trump.
Repealing the AUMF of 2002 without a replacement is dangerous, and the House majority must understand that. If the Democrats choose to adopt this amendment, it shows our military men and women stationed in the Middle East that the United States Congress does not have their backs.
By adopting this amendment, it tells our enemies that they can continue attacking the United States completely unchecked. It projects uncertainty and weakness to those who are actively working against us. The United States must maintain the ability to counter terrorist attacks and an active AUMF accomplishes that.
This amendment, if adopted, will only weaken America’s defense strategy in the Middle East. The AUMF is important and helped lead our military to the defeat Al Qaeda in Iraq. It continues helping us identify other international terrorist organizations that want to harm Americans and spread terror throughout the world.
No one wants endless wars in the middle east, but we must have the tools necessary to react in this highly volatile region. We should not prevent the President from defending Americans from imminent threats. To do this is reckless and dangerous. Not only will you put our military at risk but you will also endanger American civilians.
Keep in mind, we need to fight the global war on terrorism over there, otherwise it will end up in our backyard. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this destructive resolution.
I yield back
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