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(ANTIMEDIA) Washington, D.C. — After 16 years at war, one U.S. senator appears to have had enough. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul sat on the floor of the United States Senate Monday night to protest the lack of oversight regarding the U.S. government’s foreign policy.
As the legislative body attempts to push through the $692 billion Defense Authorization Act, the Republican senator is trying to block the bill from moving forward until his colleagues are forced to vote on an amendment that would put an end to the 2001 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force.
Late Monday evening, the Senate passed a motion, to a vote of 89-3, which allowed the legislation to proceed. While the motion limits procedural debate on the legislation, Senator Paul was guaranteed four hours to be able to make his case on Tuesday.
A full vote on the NDAA could come as early as Wednesday morning, which means there is still time for your voice to be heard.
Paul wrote on Monday:
As Congress takes up the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will insist it vote on my amendment to sunset the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force.
Why?
Because these authorizations to use military force are inappropriately being used to justify American warfare in 7 different countries. Sunsetting both AUMFs will force a debate on whether we continue the Afghanistan war, the Libya war, the Yemen war, the Syria war, and other interventions.
Our military trains our soldiers to be focused and disciplined, yet the politicians who send them to fight have for years ignored those traits when developing our foreign policy.
The result? Trillions spent in seemingly endless conflicts in every corner of the globe, while we find ourselves 16 years into the war in Afghanistan wondering what our purpose there even is any more, or if we’ll ever bring our troops home.
If we don’t get this rudderless foreign policy under control now, we’ll still be asking the same questions another 16 years down the road.
It’s time to demand the policymakers take their own jobs as seriously as the men and women we ask to risk it all for our nation.
You can contact your senators by calling (202) 224-3121 if you wish to stand with Rand to help put an end to the needless wars and U.S. occupation of foreign nations.
Tonight, the Senate is attempting to move forward with the Defense Bill. I am seeking an amendment to end the AUMF in Afghanistan and Iraq.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
I will object to all procedural motions and amendments unless and until my amendment is made in order and we vote on these wars
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
An attempt was made to run the clock on the bill overnight. I objected and am now sitting on the floor of the Senate to stop that
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
Tonight I sit silently to protest the thousands of American soldiers who have died over the past decade in these wars.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
We have been there for 16 years. It is time for them to end. It is time for Congress to vote on whether or not they should end.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
The Senate is now in a quorum call, unable to act because of my protest. This is why I sit on the floor, in silent protest.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
I will continue this protest and these objections for as long as needed to ensure Congress do its duty, and vote on ending these wars.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
I sit for our soldiers young and brave. Sent to fight in distant lands in our forgotten, forever war
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
Hypocrites, they pretend concern over our constitutional duty to declare war and then block any vote on ending any of our 7 current wars
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
I sit nearly alone, but that’s fine. I’ll fight by myself if need be. This is too important pic.twitter.com/PRymNnafi8
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
Where is the anti-war left demanding the wars end? Where is the constitional conservative right demanding Congress reclaim its war powers?
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
The Senate attempted to shorten debate & move forward without consideration & debate on my amendment to end our AUMF in Afghanistan and Iraq
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 12, 2017
Senate leaders have agreed not to try to end debate early, and have agreed to four hours of debate under my control to debate these wars.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 12, 2017
I will continue to fight, and if necessary, object, to continue this debate , secure a vote and force Congress to do its duty.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 12, 2017