McConnell bashes Iraq AUMF repeal ahead of Senate passage
Ryan King
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) railed against a bill to repeal a pair of war authorizations that presidents have used to take military action against Iranian proxies in the region.
The legislation has garnered both bipartisan support and opposition as the upper chamber debates whether to scrap the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for use of military force that preceded the Gulf and Iraq wars.
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Although presidents have also relied on other war powers to target Iran-backed militias, the senator warned that “sunsetting” the authorizations would only embolden Iranian aggression.
“Iraq has come under extremely heavy influence and manipulation from Iran,” McConnell said in a statement. “Our enemies in Iran who have spent two decades targeting and killing Americans in the Middle East would be delighted to see America dial down our military presence, authorities, and activities in Iraq.”
“Our terrorist enemies aren’t sunsetting their war against us,” the Kentucky Republican said. “When we deploy our servicemembers in harm’s way, we need to supply them with all the support and legal authorities that we can.”
The Senate voted Monday to advance the bill and is considering roughly a dozen GOP amendments. With at least 18 Republicans expected to vote in favor, the legislation is slated to clear the upper chamber as soon as Wednesday.
McConnell cited an attack by an Iran-backed militia that killed one U.S. service member last week to argue that now is not the time to roll back the country’s war authorizations.
“While the Senate’s been engaged in this abstract, theoretical debate about rolling back American power, Iran has continued its deadly attacks on us. Just last week a suspected Iranian attack killed one American and wounded six more in Syria. Some in America may think our war against terrorism is sunsetting, but clearly the terrorists do not agree,” the senator said.
McConnell was discharged from an inpatient rehab facility over the weekend following treatment for a concussion and a fractured rib stemming from a fall earlier in the month. He has been silent on the repeal effort and other Senate business as he recovers despite being one of the most vocal defense hawks in the chamber. His office revealed that he will work remotely “for the next few days.”
President Joe Biden has said that he would support the legislation, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told reporters that the proposal has a “good chance” of getting a floor vote in the House after it goes through the Foreign Affairs Committee.
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In his statement of opposition to the repeal, McConnell sought to keep the blame on Democrats over the tumult in the Middle East.
“Fortunately, the Senate has more chances to work its will. And this week’s debate needs to be just the beginning of a much broader and deeper look at the Biden Administration’s failed Middle East policies,” McConnell said. “This Administration must change its strategy, rebuild deterrence, end Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability, and protect Americans and American interests from Iranian terrorism.”