Congressman Anthony Brown Floor Speech In Support Of Formally Recognizing An End To The 2002 Mission In Iraq

Press Release

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a 30 year Army veteran who served in Iraq, delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives in support of the repeal of the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) which authorized America's decades-long engagement in Iraq. Below are the Congressman's remarks as delivered:

"I thank you Mr. Chairman, and I also want to thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership on repealing the 2002 AUMF. That was the authorization that sent me and hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women to Iraq since the invasion in 2003. The justification for this war was fundamentally flawed, but to be certain the purpose of the 2002 AUMF established a broad military mission in Iraq.

"Yet, I have no doubt that the mission we were given has been completed. And sadly, the nation has lost more than 4,400 brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who were engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom. For years, I've advocated for the repeal of the 2002 AUMF. It's time for us, for Congress and the American people, to formally recognize the end of America's 2002 mission in Iraq.

"This is an important first step, as Congress once again reasserts its responsibility in the use of our military forces, by authorizing frameworks that address current threats to our nation And that we authorize the use of military force only as a last resort."

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