I think the public was there way before members of Congress, in terms of understanding the broad nature of giving over Congress's constitutional responsibility to the executive branch. My 2001 vote inspired millions of Americans to embrace the message 'Barbara Lee Speaks for Me.' It highlighted a shift in how war powers are viewed, with increasing awareness from the public that Congress must reclaim its constitutional role in matters of military engagement.
Now, Democrats and Republicans in the House, together, understand the importance of pushing back against outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force. Just three years ago, when I sought to overturn the 2002 AUMF, there were significant bipartisan efforts with 49 Republican members supporting that initiative alongside Democrats. This shows a growing recognition of the need to address past authorizations that no longer reflect current realities.
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