Military force bill needs thorough vetting

A bill called the Authorization to Use Military Force passed hastily in the highly emotional aftermath of 9-11. It gave the president a blank check to use military force.

This bill was supposed to make us feel safe but vague wording and no time limits created the opposite.

We are safer when we have real representation in decisions to spend our resources and spill the blood of our American soldiers in war. We are drained by endless war. No single person should have the power to go to war. That is the right and duty of Congress.

I thank the House Appropriations Committee for voting overwhelmingly to have a debate on the abuse of power of the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force. Enacted in haste as an appropriate response to 9/11, instead it has been taken as an abdication of the congressional constitutional responsibility over declarations of war.

I urge all citizens who are tired of endless war to contact your Senators and Representatives to support this return to a safer country.

Janet Mullen

Downers Grove