Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 256, bipartisan legislation repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Iraq Resolution of 2002:

“As a junior Member of Congress, I took one of the toughest votes of my career when I voted against war with Iraq. After nearly two decades, I am proud to have shepherded Barbara Lee’s H.R. 256, repealing the 2002 AUMF, through Committee and now the House of Representatives.

“The 2002 AUMF is no longer needed for any ongoing military operations, and has not served as the legal authority for any military actions since 2011. With the House’s overwhelming bipartisan vote today, Congress took an important step in reclaiming its war powers and ending forever conflicts. My hope is that the Senate will quickly join the House in passing this long overdue repeal and send it to President Biden’s desk so we can finally bring this chapter of American history to a close.”

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