H.R. 256 · 117TH CONGRESSIntroduced · Jun 17, 2021
To repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
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Step 1 of 6 · Introduced
On Motion to Recommit
On Motion to Recommit
On June 17, 2021, the House of Representatives voted on a procedural "Motion to Recommit" regarding H.R. 256, a bill intended to formally repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq. This specific motion was a final attempt by the minority party to send the bill back to committee for changes before a final vote; its failure meant the bill could proceed to its final passage without amendments. The underlying bill, H.R. 256, sought to terminate the legal authority granted to the President nearly two decades prior for the Iraq War, with supporters arguing the authorization was no longer necessary for national security. The vote on this motion fell almost entirely along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor of the motion to reconsider the bill and Democrats voting against it to keep the legislation moving forward as written.
On Passage
On Passage
On June 17, 2021, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 256, a bill that would formally repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. This resolution was originally enacted to authorize the invasion of Iraq during the George W. Bush administration; its repeal would officially terminate that specific legal justification for military action. The bill passed with a vote of 268 to 161. While the measure received nearly unanimous support from Democrats, the Republican caucus was divided, with 49 members voting in favor and 160 voting against. Supporters of the repeal argued that the 2002 authorization is no longer necessary and that its removal asserts Congressional authority over declarations of war, while opponents expressed concerns that repealing it could limit the President’s flexibility to respond to current threats in the region.