After nearly 18 years of continuous war around the world, Americans have had enough.
A new poll commissioned by Concerned Veterans for America and VoteVets found that 83 percent of likely voters believe the United States should either keep military engagement where it stands or engage even less.
The poll also found that voters want Congress to take back its war powers by repealing the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Passed in the weeks after 9/11, the 2001 AUMF has been used to justify operations in seven countries. Repealing the AUMF would give Congress more control over when, where and why troops are being deployed.
Here are the biggest findings in the survey:
- Only 11 percent of people surveyed think the U.S. military should be more engaged in world conflicts; 83 percent believe engagement shouldn’t change or should decline.
- Fully half of voters think Congress shouldn’t rely on the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, but instead repeal that AUMF and re-evaluate specific troop deployments.
- A strong majority oppose a U.S. attack on Iran, regardless of whether it’s referred to as a first-strike attack. An alarmingly higher majority (58 percent) believe the United States will enter into conflict with Iran, despite their wishes not to.
The poll surveyed 2,951 likely voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, Florida and Virginia’s second congressional district. These states represent some of the upcoming primary states with high veteran and military populations.
The findings are clear that Americans are tired of sending troops into harm’s way when there is no clear justification.
CVA and VoteVets have recently joined forces to make those voices heard — and you can join us, by letting lawmakers know that it’s time to rethink our foreign policy efforts and protect servicemembers from continued danger.