Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) (2001 & 2002)

1) Link to the Text of the Acts

• 2001 AUMF – Pub. L. 107–40
• 2002 AUMF – Pub. L. 107–243

2) Why They Were Done

• 2001 AUMF: Passed after the September 11 attacks, authorizing the President to use force against nations, groups, or persons responsible for 9/11 or who harbored them.
• 2002 AUMF: Authorized force against Iraq to address Saddam Hussein’s regime and alleged weapons of mass destruction.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
The Constitution divides war powers between Congress and the President. These AUMFs served as statutory substitutes for formal declarations of war, last used in WWII.

4) Overreach or Proper Role?
Supporters argue they gave presidents flexibility to respond to threats. Critics say they created a “blank check” for endless wars, stretched far beyond their original intent.

5) Who or What They Control

• President and U.S. Armed Forces (granted broad authority to use force abroad)
• Congress (ceded significant war powers authority)
• Foreign states and non-state actors targeted by U.S. military operations

6) Key Sections / Citations

• 2001 AUMF: “Authorization for Use of United States Armed Forces” (Sec. 2, Pub. L. 107–40)
• 2002 AUMF: “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq” (Sec. 3, Pub. L. 107–243)

7) Recent Changes or Live Controversies

• 2001 AUMF has been cited for U.S. military actions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and beyond—well outside its original scope.
• 2002 AUMF was formally repealed by Congress in 2023.
• Active debates in Congress continue over repealing or replacing the 2001 AUMF to prevent executive overreach.

8) Official Sources

• Congress.gov – 2001 AUMF
• Congress.gov – 2002 AUMF
• Congressional Research Service – AUMF Background

• Military
• War Powers
• Congress
• President
• National Security