President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday signalled support for a bipartisan bill in the Senate that would repeal the authorisations for the wars in Iraq, two decades after the 2003 US-led invasion.
If passed, the bill would end two so-called Authorisations for Use of Military Force — one from the 1991 Gulf War and one passed in 2002 before the invasion.
Critics say the 2002 authorisation has been misused, as it has provided the legal underpinning for US military operations in several countries outside Iraq.
The White House Office of Management and Budget said the bill shares Mr Biden's “long-standing commitment to replacing outdated authorisations for the use of military force”.
The bill cleared a procedural hurdle on Thursday, when the Senate voted 68 to 27 to end debate over the legislation, clearing the way for amendments and a final vote next week.
The White House said the repeal of the two authorisations would have “no impact” on Washington's current military operations in Iraq, where the US maintains a troop presence as part of the anti-ISIS coalition.
“President Biden remains committed to working with the Congress to ensure that outdated authorisations for the use of military force are replaced with a narrow and specific framework more appropriate to protecting Americans from modern terrorist threats,” the statement read.
The 2002 authorisation was originally passed as then-president George W Bush administration’s prepared to invade Iraq based on what turned out to be faulty claims that Saddam Hussein’s regime was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.
The bill to repeal the authorisation was brought to the Senate with strong bipartisan support as Washington quickly approaches the 20th anniversary of the invasion, which killed or injured hundreds of thousands of Iraqis while leaving about 4,500 US troops dead and tens of thousands more suffering physical and mental wounds.
The bill's sponsors pledged that passing the repeal would “enhance the relationship the United States now has with a sovereign, democratic Iraq”.
“Congress is responsible for both declaring wars and ending them because decisions as important as whether or not to send our troops into harm’s way warrant careful deliberation and consensus,” said Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.
“The 1991 and 2002 AUMFs are no longer necessary, serve no operational purpose, and run the risk of potential misuse. Congress owes it to our servicemembers, veterans and families to pass our bill repealing these outdated AUMFs and formally ending the Gulf and Iraq wars.”
The Senate bill mirrors legislation from the previous session of Congress. A House of Representatives bill led by Congresswoman Barbara Lee passed the House floor by a vote of 268 to 161, with dozens of Republicans voting in favour of repeal.
The last time Congress repealed such an authorisation was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the principal statutory authority for the Vietnam War.
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Rating: 4.5/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Greatest Royal Rumble match listing
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
