Washington, 10 October 2025 — In a rare show of bipartisan consensus, the U.S. Senate voted 77–20 on Thursday to repeal two long-standing Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) that had provided presidents with broad authority to conduct military operations in the Middle East.
The repeals, covering the 1991 Gulf War authorization and the 2002 Iraq War authorization, were included as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — a $900 billion policy package that sets military spending and strategic priorities for the coming year.
A Shift in War Powers
The decision reflects growing momentum in Congress to curb executive overreach in matters of war and peace. Lawmakers from both parties argued that the authorizations, though once central to U.S. military campaigns, had become outdated and vulnerable to misuse.
Supporters of the repeal pointed to instances where the 2002 Iraq AUMF was cited to justify military actions far beyond its original intent, including the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who has long championed war powers reform, said the vote was about “restoring Congress’s constitutional role in decisions of war and peace.” Republican Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) echoed the sentiment, calling the repeal “a long-overdue step to close the book on these forever wars.”
What Remains in Place
The repeal does not affect the 2001 AUMF, passed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, which continues to serve as the legal foundation for U.S. counterterrorism operations worldwide. Efforts to revise or repeal that authorization remain politically contentious, with critics warning it has been stretched far beyond its original scope.
Broader Implications
The Senate’s action increases the likelihood that the repeals will survive in the final version of the NDAA, which must be reconciled with the House of Representatives. President Donald Trump has not yet indicated whether he would sign the measure, though the White House has previously resisted efforts to limit presidential military authority.
Analysts say the move is symbolically powerful, signaling Congress’s intent to reclaim oversight of military engagements after decades of deference to the executive branch. However, they caution that without addressing the 2001 AUMF, the president still retains wide latitude to deploy U.S. forces abroad.
Outlook
If enacted, the repeal would represent the most significant rollback of presidential war powers in a generation. Advocates see it as a first step toward a broader debate on how the United States authorizes and conducts military operations in an era defined less by conventional wars and more by diffuse counterterrorism campaigns.
U.S.-Senate-Capitol-Building- Picture by-ajagendorf25
Sources: Politico; Pennsylvania Capital-Star; U.S. Senate Roll Call Data.
