BREAKING: Congress could give Trump the right to wage worldwide war

This new AUMF could cause fundamental damage to the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights for generations to come. [ACLU](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=Y~amp;0=~amp;o=) Hi – If you're concerned about President Trump's reckless threats and unlawful firing of missiles in Syria, just imagine what he would do if Congress hands him a license to go to war wherever he wants and against anyone he thinks is an enemy, anywhere in the world. Basically, a blank check for worldwide war. Sound terrifying? Well that's exactly what Senator Bob Corker wants to do. He's busily drafting a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that he will introduce in the next few days. We must make clear to Congress that we say no to worldwide war. [Sign this petition to tell Congress not to support the proposed AUMF. Our Constitution creates a system of checks and balances to avoid this exact situation.](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=Z~amp;0=~amp;o=) The checks and balances system ensures that going to war isn't easy – that's why Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the fundamental right to declare war, and forbids unilateral use of force except in self-defense in response to an attack on this country. But under Corker's proposed AUMF, Congress would need a two-thirds majority in both houses to stop the president from going to war. If enacted, the new AUMF would cause fundamental damage to the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights for generations to come. The president should never be able to declare war with a tweet – and then act on his own whim. But that's exactly what the new AUMF could allow. In the days after 9/11, Congress enacted an AUMF authorizing the president to use military force in Afghanistan against the perpetrators of the attacks. The following year, another AUMF gave the president the greenlight to invade Iraq. Both laws have been used to justify military action in places and against groups far removed from their original intent – and that's illegal. [This is urgent: Add your name now to stop Congress from passing Corker's catastrophic AUMF. With terrible violence and instability increasing throughout the world, the stakes are just too high to give Trump a blank check to wage war with the stroke of his pen – or tweet.](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=a~amp;0=~amp;o=) Thanks for speaking up, [Chris Anders] Chris Anders ACLU Washington Legislative Office Deputy Director [DONATE NOW](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=e~amp;0=~amp;o=) Please note: If you forward or distribute, the links will open a page with your information filled in. This email was sent to: {EMAIL} This email was sent by: American Civil Liberties Union [125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004, USA](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=f~amp;0=) [Unsubscribe](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=b~amp;0=~amp;o=934z60~amp;50A581~amp;43B2B134~amp;d0r09x3x3x85xYH7DN) We respect your right to privacy – [view our policy](aaaaBCKMvBNNFG47aa?q=4_y4x70C6~amp;g=qufvquXpYdigtlkCz~257xjjdfo.Zrj~amp;o=d~amp;0=).