War ahead! While the country was busy preparing for a giant snowstorm, the leader of the Senate quietly made an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) eligible for a vote in the Senate, fast tracking it through normal Senate process. In this episode, take a look at the details of this AUMF and find out what the war mongers in charge might be planning to do with it.

• To get the most out of this episode, listen to RadioLab: 60 Words and Congressional Dish: CD108 Regime Change

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Bill Texts

S.J. Res 29: A joint resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and its associated forces (Lindsay Graham’s AUMF)

• “The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force in order to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, its associated forces, organizations, and persons, and any successor organizations.”
• President has to submit a report to Congress every 60 days.

President Obama’s Proposed AUMF

• “The President is authorized, subject to the limitations in subsection (c), to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate against ISIL or associated persons or forces as defined in section 5.”
  • (c) “The authority granted… does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces in enduring offensive ground combat operations.”
  • Section 5: “The term “associated persons or forces” means individuals and organizations fighting for, on behalf of, or alongside ISIL or any closely-related successor entity in hostilities agains the United States or its coalition partners”
  • Duration: “This authorization for the use of military force shall terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, unless reauthorized.”
  • Repeal: “The Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 is hereby repealed.”

2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force

• “The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations, or persons.”

2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force – Iraq Resolution

• “The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq and enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.”

Sound Clip Sources

• Hearing: U.S. Strategy Against ISIS, Senate Armed Services Committee, December 9, 2015.
  • Witnesses
    • Ashton Carter, Secretary of Defense
    • General Paul Selva, US Air Force, Vice Chairman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Hearing: Middle East Strategy, Senate Armed Services Committee, January 20, 2016.
  • Witnesses
    • General Jack Keane, Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, Board of Directors at General Dynamics
    • Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Dean and Executive Professor at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
    • Philip Gordon, Former Assistance Secretary of State of European and Eurasian Affairs
• Video/Article: McConnell Shuts Down Notion That Obama Will Get War Authorization Against ISIS by Ali Weinberg, ABC News, January 10, 2016.
• Video: Nightmare on Graham Street, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, September 15, 2014.
• Sen. Chris Murphy addresses the Senate floor, January 21, 2016 (transcript)

Additional Reading

• Webpage: General Dynamics Annual Report and Proxy Statement
• Webpage: War Powers, Cornell University Law School
• Article: McConnell’s Surprise Move on War Authority by Sara Mimms and Alex Rogers, National Journal, January 21, 2016.
• Article: Congress Takes a Step Toward Declaring War on ISIS by Clare Foran, The Atlantic, January 22, 2016.
• Article: Graham’s Draft AUMF Snags Spot on Senate Calendar by Rachel Oswald, Roll Call, January 21, 2016.
• Article: McConnell makes war authorization move by Seung Min Kim, Politico, January 21, 2016.
• Article: Pentagon may send more U.S. troops to Syria by Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, December 1, 2015.
• Report: 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, Congressional Research Service, April 2015.
• Article: Analysts in Syria debate have ties to defense contractors by Holly Yeagar, Washington Post, October 10, 2013.

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• Congressional Dish Voat Subverse
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Music Presented in This Episode

• Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Cover Art

Design by Only Child Imaginations