Senator Ted Cruz
‘Voting to repeal both authorities without passing an alternative plan could endanger our Armed Forces’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following statement on a vote regarding the repeal of the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force:
“Supporters of this provision are well meaning,” Sen. Cruz said. “I have long supported a new AUMF – focused on defeating ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism – and I believe there should be an open debate in Congress on our wartime strategy. But simply repealing the 2001 and 2002 authorizations without providing for consideration of an alternative plan could put our brave servicemen and women in uniform at risk and jeopardize our current missions abroad. Furthermore, the 2012 NDAA provides for the authority to detain terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba by invoking the 2001 AUMF. That authority could be called into question if the 2001 AUMF were simply repealed. Our men and women in uniform deserve clarity and certainty from us. I therefore cannot vote today to simply repeal both authorities and leave our nation without a clearly defined military objective or solution.”