Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. JONES. Mr. Chairman, I want to remind those on the floor today that it was James Madison who clearly stated that the power to declare war, including the power of judging the causes of war, is fully vested in the legislature. That is us, the House of Representatives.

The McGovern amendment is an amendment of frustration because, as it has already been said, we have not been permitted to meet our constitutional responsibility to debate war policy for the country.

We have sent five letters to former Speaker Boehner asking for this ability to have an AUMF on the floor for debate. No answer. This is a bipartisan group who wrote the letter. We have now sent three letters to Speaker Ryan asking that we meet our constitutional responsibility. No answer. We are frustrated. We need to meet our constitutional responsibility.

The last point I want to make very quickly. In December of this year, we had Secretary Carter before the Armed Services Committee, on which I serve, and we had General Dunford before the committee, on which I serve. I asked them the question: Do you think that Congress should debate and pass a new AUMF?

Let me give you Carter's answer: I think it is desirable to have a new AUMF.

General Dunford: I absolutely believe that a clear and unequivocal statement of support for the men and women in uniform that are prosecuting the war is absolutely necessary. It would be so helpful if we could pass a new AUMF.

So in closing, I say this: if we want to meet our constitutional responsibility and we upheld our hands to swear to God that we would, then let's not send our young men and women to die around the world based on 2001 and 2002.

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