Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) joined a coalition of organizations in calling for open review of a proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The new provision, championed by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA), is a sweeping departure from the separation of powers and would give the President the authority to use military force worldwide, in any country in which suspected terrorists reside. In effect, this proposal would create war without end.Couched as a “reaffirmation” of authority to use force against groups involved in the 9/11 terror attacks, the proposal would give the President unchecked power to use military force without any geographic limitations against loosely defined groups. As PHR and other groups noted in a recent memorandum (see below) to all members and staff of the House Armed Services Committee, this new authorization for the use of military force would shift the power to declare war from Congress to the President, giving the President “the power to go to war almost anywhere, at any time, and based on the presence of suspects who do not have to pose any threat to the national security of the United States.” Tell your Representative to oppose this proposed indeterminate declaration of war. Sign the petition here.[download id=”31″]
