Bacon, Coffman lead effort to establish new guidelines for use of military force in war on terror

A new authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) would be enacted for the first time in 16 years under a bipartisan joint resolution introduced by U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Mike Coffman (R-CO) on Thursday.

Bacon and Coffman introduced the proposal, H.J. Res. 118, with bipartisan support from U.S. Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). The resolution would replace AUMFs from 2001 and 2002 with a new measure that authorizes the use of military force against al-Qaeda, the Taliban, ISIS and anyone associated with those groups for five years. Additional congressional authorization would be required for use of force against nations.

“Article One of the Constitution bestows on Congress the authority to declare war and Congress needs to do its job,” Bacon said. “Our military must know it has the support of the American citizens we represent and that support is reflected by Congress debating and voting on the use of lethal military force.”

Defense Secretary James Mattis testified before the House Armed Services Committee on Oct. 3 that unity was needed between the U.S. government, Congress and the American people to win the war against terror.

“The threats we face today are far different than those we faced over a decade ago, and this legislation reflects Congress’s Constitutional role in authorizing the use of military force against terrorist organizations,” Coffman said.

The four congressmen who introduced the resolution are each veterans of the U.S. military.