In a landmark decision on Thursday, the US Senate voted to repeal two Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) against Iraq, marking a pivotal step toward restoring congressional oversight over military engagements. This action seeks to formally end over two decades of military authorizations that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The bipartisan amendment, SA 3337, sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine and Todd Young, was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It targets the repeal of the 2002 AUMF, which facilitated military action against Saddam Hussein's regime, and the 1991 Gulf War authorization. Despite previous attempts in both the House and Senate to repeal these AUMFs, this is the first time the repeal could potentially become law, as similar language has been approved in both chambers.

Critics of the AUMFs have long argued that they grant excessive power to the executive branch, allowing presidents to initiate military actions without adequate congressional approval. These authorizations were notably used by the Obama administration as justification for military action against ISIS and by the Trump administration for the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassim Soleimani.

While the 2001 AUMF related to the war on terror remains in effect, supporters of the repeal argue that removing the Iraq-specific AUMFs is crucial to avoid future misuse. Senator Kaine emphasized the constitutional responsibility of Congress to actively participate in decisions regarding war and peace. He stated that the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs "are no longer necessary, serve no operational purpose, and run the risk of potential misuse."

Echoing Senator Kaine's sentiments, Representative Chip Roy highlighted the necessity of the repeal to prevent abuse of outdated authorities and to reaffirm Congress’s duty in matters of war and peace.

The Senate passed the NDAA with a vote of 77-20, sending it to the conference committee. The alignment of the House and Senate on the repeal language significantly raises the probability of this measure becoming law. However, it is still uncertain whether President Trump will sign the bill into law, adding an element of suspense to the congressional effort to reclaim its war-declaring powers.

This decision could potentially close a long-standing chapter on the legal grounds for military action in Iraq, setting a precedent for future congressional involvement in military authorizations.