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CVA statement on defense appropriations bill with 2001 AUMF repeal

By Concerned Veterans for America

CVA applauds AUMF repeal amendment, discouraged by excessive spending

 

ARLINGTON, Va.—Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Executive Director Nate Anderson released the following statement on Wednesday following the passage of the House Minibus Appropriations package, which included appropriations for the Department of Defense with a key provision from Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF):

“We are extremely pleased to see progress from Congress on reclaiming its constitutional responsibilities by working to repeal the 2001 AUMF. The inclusion of Rep. Lee’s amendment in this bill is a critical step toward ensuring that Congress reasserts itself in shaping American foreign policy. While the overarching bill neglects today’s fiscal realities by appropriating irresponsible spending levels, the AUMF repeal amendment is a positive sign for greater accountability in the future. Just as CVA has partnered with VoteVets on this crucial issue, we encourage lawmakers to put good policy over partisanship and support this amendment.”

CVA and VoteVets, traditionally bitter rivals, have joined forces to promote a more responsible policy on how the United States employs its military force. Setting the example for lawmakers and the administration, the groups have found common ground on this issue and have been working together in an effort to bring real, lasting policy change in Washington.

Bolstering these efforts, CVA has launched the “Rethink Foreign Policy” campaign aimed at reshaping American foreign policy. The campaign’s website, RethinkForeignPolicy.com outlines the need to reorient American foreign policy and makes the case for a full withdrawal of American ground troops from Afghanistan and Syria.

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