Comparing the Major AUMF Proposals - 115th Congress

After the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress authorized the President to use force against the people who initiated those attacks, the group al-Qaeda. Since then, Presidents have used that authority to battle al-Qaeda and its affiliates around the world. Since 2014, Presidents have claimed that the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) also allows them to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) even though ISIS was not involved in the 2001 attacks, but does threaten the United States. Most members have never had to take a stand on US military operations, despite the changing nature of the threat, and many have proposed legislation to define the President’s authorities. Congress should approve a clear statement of where the President is authorized to use force and against whom.

In this infographic, we summarize the most prominent* current congressional AUMF proposals by date of introduction. We hope it will be helpful for Members of Congress and their staff as they decide the best approach forward.

* Other AUMF proposals have been introduced in this Congress. They are as follows:
- H. Con.Res. 2 – Sponsor Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), introduced 1/3/17
- H.J.Res. 63 – Sponsor Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), introduced 2/3/17
- H.R. 1229 – Sponsor Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), introduced 2/27/17
- S.J.Res. 31 – Sponsor Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), introduced 3/2/2017
- H.J.Res. 89 – Sponsor Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), introduced 3/15/2017
- S.J.Res. 43 – Sponsor Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AR), introduced 5/25/2017
- H.J.Res. 112 – Sponsor Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), introduced 7/20/2017
- H.J.Res. 118 – Sponsor Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO), introduced 10/12/2017