This invasion must end

Last week marked 20 years since the United States invaded Iraq.

I was one of 23 senators who voted against the invasion because I was never presented with compelling evidence of a clear and present threat to our national security. In fact, the night before the vote I helped make public a letter from CIA leaders that said Saddam was unlikely to attack the United States. One of my biggest regrets is that more of my colleagues didn't listen.

The deeply politicized authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) passed anyway. Ever since presidents have used this open-ended authorization to carry out military actions in Iraq.

Throughout that time, I worked to bring the troops home. Finally, in 2012, President Obama declared the Iraq war over, and most of our soldiers came home. Still, 2,500 active-duty military personnel remain in Iraq today.

This invasion must end. It's past time to repeal this AUMF and bring ALL of our troops home.

That's why today, I was proud to vote 'yes' on long-overdue legislation to repeal both the 1991 and 2002 authorizations, bringing this chapter to a close. It just passed on the Senate floor with bipartisan support.

Authorizations for the use of military force should not be indefinite. Congress, not the president, has the power to declare war.

Twenty years ago, I voted against this senseless war, and this week, I stuck by my principles and voted again to end this conflict.

More to come,

Ron