As Memorial Day approaches, we reflect not only on the ultimate sacrifice made by those who gave their lives in service to our country, but also on how we, as a nation, choose to honor that sacrifice. One of the most profound ways we can do so is by ensuring that war is never waged lightly, and only with clear, current, and constitutional justification. Yet several outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) remain in effect—giving the executive branch sweeping authority to engage in military action without updated congressional approval. The 1957, 1991, 2001, and 2002 AUMFs continue to grant expansive war powers long after their original purposes have faded.

If we are serious about honoring the fallen this Memorial Day, we must repeal these obsolete authorizations. Doing so will help restore constitutional checks on executive war powers and ensure that future military action is only undertaken with legitimate, narrowly defined congressional consent.

The Legacy of the AUMFs

• The 1957 AUMF: Enacted during the Cold War, this authorization gave the president broad power to confront potential Soviet aggression in the Middle East. Though the Cold War ended decades ago, this AUMF remains technically active—despite being irrelevant to modern security challenges.

• The 1991 AUMF: This resolution authorized the use of force to drive Iraqi troops from Kuwait during the Gulf War. That war concluded over thirty years ago, and Saddam Hussein’s regime no longer exists—yet the law authorizing that war still stands.

• The 2001 AUMF: Passed in the days following the 9/11 attacks, this authorization granted the president power to target those responsible and their affiliates. Its vague language has allowed four successive presidents to use it to justify military operations in dozens of countries, far beyond its original scope.

• The 2002 AUMF: Intended to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein, this authorization continues to be used today for military actions unrelated to its initial objective. Both the Trump and Biden administrations invoked it for operations well outside Iraq.

Why Repeal Is Essential

Restoring Constitutional Balance
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the sole power to declare war, a safeguard meant to prevent unilateral military action. But these lingering AUMFs have allowed the executive branch to bypass that requirement. Repealing them would reestablish congressional oversight and ensure that any new war powers are debated and approved by the people’s representatives.

Preventing Endless War
The 2001 and 2002 AUMFs have become tools for perpetual conflict. Their continued existence enables the United States to maintain a state of near-constant warfare. Repealing them would signal a commitment to ending open-ended military engagements and prioritizing diplomacy over force. Many veterans of these conflicts have spoken out about the toll of endless war; we owe it to those who never returned to ensure that such wars are not waged without clear purpose.

Honoring the Fallen with Action, Not Just Words
Memorial Day is more than a ceremony—it’s a call to remember and learn from our past. We honor the dead not only by commemorating them but by making sure their sacrifice was not in vain. Outdated AUMFs risk repeating mistakes that have cost thousands of lives. By removing these blank checks for war, we make a solemn promise that future lives will only be placed on the line with full, transparent, and necessary justification.

Modernizing Military Policy
The world has changed dramatically since 1957, 1991, 2001, and 2002. The threats we face today require new thinking and new strategies. Holding onto old war authorizations does not make us safer—it makes us reactive, not proactive. When new threats arise, Congress should consider new, narrowly tailored authorizations instead of relying on decades-old mandates.

A Path Forward

There is bipartisan recognition that these AUMFs no longer serve a valid purpose. In 2021, the House passed a bill to repeal the 2002 AUMF, and there have been continued discussions about repealing or revising the 2001 authorization. But much more work remains to be done.

This Memorial Day, let us do more than offer tributes. Let us act. Repealing outdated AUMFs is a step toward ensuring that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are honored by a government that treats war as a last resort—not a lingering policy.

Let their legacy be one of peace, accountability, and constitutional fidelity. Let us honor the fallen not just with flags and flowers—but with action.