Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is taking action to address the deteriorating political situation and increased risk to U.S. troops in Niger. Dr. Paul will force the U.S. Senate to vote on his War Powers Resolution, which directs the President to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Niger within 30 days of its enactment.

In a statement, Dr. Paul emphasized the importance of Congress reclaiming its constitutional war powers. He said, "We must be courageous enough to debate if America’s national interest in Niger is of such vital importance that we ask our young men and women to fight and potentially pay the ultimate sacrifice for it."

The presence of U.S. troops in Niger without proper congressional authorization has been a concern since at least 2013. Tragically, four U.S. servicemembers lost their lives in 2017 during an ambush near the village of Tongo Tongo. The Biden Administration has cited the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to justify the presence of U.S. troops in Niger.

Various organizations and experts have expressed their support for Dr. Paul's resolution. Heather Brandon-Smith, Deputy Director for Foreign Policy at Friends Committee on National Legislation, said, "Senator Paul’s resolution is a critical step to help set the United States on this long-overdue path" towards a more sustainable and rights-respecting approach to national security.

Dr. Sumantra Maitra, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and Senior Editor of the American Conservative, highlighted the lack of American interest in Niger, stating, "The core American interest for a direct intervention or troop presence is, therefore, nil. To that cause, Senator Paul’s resolution is key in removing American troops from the region."

Elizabeth Beavers, Vice President for Public Affairs at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for Congress to debate and decide on the deployment of U.S. forces in Niger.

Erik Sperling, Executive Director of Just Foreign Policy, criticized the use of the 2001 AUMF as a justification for U.S. involvement in Niger and praised Senator Paul for leading the debate on Congress's war powers.

Tucker Kass, Outreach Manager and Non-Resident Fellow Program Manager at Defense Priorities Initiative, expressed support for efforts to reclaim Congress's constitutional prerogatives over the use of force in Niger.

George Landrith, President of Frontiers of Freedom, emphasized the importance of Congress's role in authorizing military action and criticized the use of the 2001 AUMF to circumvent this oversight.

Dr. Paul's War Powers Resolution is gaining support from various organizations, including Heritage Action for America.

Dr. Paul's action comes after he sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding answers regarding U.S. troops deployed in Niger. The presence of U.S. military forces in Niger has been justified using the 2001 AUMF, which allows the President to engage in hostilities without congressional approval.

Dr. Paul has been a consistent advocate for returning and keeping war powers in Congress. In March, the Senate repealed the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, and Dr. Paul introduced an amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF. Although the amendment did not pass, it highlighted the need for Congress to reassess its role in authorizing military action.

The vote on Dr. Paul's War Powers Resolution will be a crucial moment for Congress to assert its constitutional authority and ensure that decisions regarding the deployment of U.S. troops are made with careful deliberation and oversight.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-to-force-senate-vote-on-war-powers-resolution-concerning-u-s-troops-stationed-in-niger-amidst-military-coup/