Bowling Green Today

In a significant move to restore Congress's Constitutional war powers and address the deteriorating political situation in Niger, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has forced the U.S. Senate to vote on his resolution directing the President to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Niger within 30 days of its enactment. The resolution, supported by a bipartisan group of 11 Senators, aims to bring an end to America's involvement in another foreign conflict amidst a military coup in Niger.

Dr. Paul emphasized that Congress never voted to send troops to Niger in the first place and that the authorization to use military force after the September 11th attacks has been misused by presidents of both parties to justify wars in multiple countries. He highlighted that Niger is just one of over 20 countries where the United States conducts military operations under the guise of the 9/11 authorization.

The impetus for the war powers resolution is the July 26th coup in Niger, where members of Niger's presidential guard, including some officers trained by the United States, removed the democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum from power. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared its intention to intervene militarily if President Bazoum is not restored to power.

Dr. Paul further stated that Mali and Burkina Faso, countries that have experienced their own armed coups in recent years, have signed a mutual defense pact with Niger, pledging to fight on behalf of the new military junta if ECOWAS invades. The situation in the region is tense, with Niger's new leaders putting the military on maximum alert and ECOWAS imposing sanctions, instituting a no-fly zone, and closing border crossings.

With over 1,000 U.S. military personnel stationed in Niger, Dr. Paul expressed concern that American forces face a real risk of being caught in the crossfire of a regional African war. He questioned the U.S.'s role in Niger, emphasizing that Congress never authorized the use of military force there, yet American forces have engaged in firefights with hostile groups, resulting in the loss of American lives.

Dr. Paul urged his fellow Senators to consider the gravity of committing America's military to fight wars without clear objectives, definitions of victory, exit strategies, or constitutional authorization. He called for a debate in Congress to ensure that the interests of the American people and the sacrifices of servicemembers are not taken lightly.

The Niger War Powers Resolution introduced by Dr. Paul has garnered support from various organizations, including the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Heritage Action for America, and Concerned Veterans for America. The resolution was cosponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Roger Marshall (R-KS).

Dr. Paul has been a consistent advocate for returning and keeping war powers in Congress as intended by the Founding Fathers. In March, the Senate took a step in the right direction by repealing the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs). Dr. Paul's amendment to also repeal the 2001 AUMF received support from a small number of Senators but ultimately did not pass.

With his ongoing efforts, Dr. Paul aims to hold the executive branch accountable and ensure that decisions regarding the deployment of U.S. troops and involvement in foreign conflicts are made through a democratic and constitutional process.

For more information on Dr. Rand Paul's Niger War Powers Resolution and his commitment to restoring war powers in Congress, visit his official website.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-forces-senate-vote-on-niger-war-powers-resolution/