Post-9/11 AUMF Used to Justify Military Action in 22 Countries: Report

Soldiers of the East Africa Response Force (EARF), a Djibouti-based joint team assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, prepare to load onto a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to support with an ordered departure of personnel from Juba, South Sudan on Dec. 18, 2013. U.S. Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Micah Theurich/AP Photo

When a trio of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation in July that would curb presidential war-making powers, they said an overhaul is required because the executive branch has run amok with the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)—passed in response to the 9/11 terror attacks.

“Today, we have combat troops in over a half-dozen countries in the world with no debate from Congress,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said at the time, claiming that the 2001 AUMF has been used to justify military operations in seven countries.