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CVA, VoteVets applaud formation of bipartisan War Powers Caucus

Traditionally opposed veterans groups encouraged by progress to reassert Congressional role in foreign policy

ARLINGTON, Va.—Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) and VoteVets on Tuesday commended the formation of the bipartisan War Powers Caucus in Congress. The bipartisan caucus was created by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Ken Buck (R.-Colo.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) to address on the overly broad interpretation of the War Powers Act and the use of U.S. military forces throughout the world based on an outdated congressional Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF) resolution.

Both CVA and VoteVets, who have put their usual differences aside to promote a better foreign policy for America, pointed to the formation of this coalition as significant progress for both the American people and foreign policy on the whole.

Nate Anderson, CVA Executive Director, had this to say about the caucus –

“Congress, led by both parties over the last 17 years, has repeatedly failed to step up and exercise its war powers – a responsibility enshrined to it in the Constitution. We applaud this bipartisan effort that is bringing lawmakers together, and we are appreciative of the leadership demonstrated by Representatives Biggs, Buck, Khanna, and Lee in forming this caucus. We, along with our partners at VoteVets, eagerly look forward to working with this cohort to advance a better American foreign policy.”

Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets, added –

“Against all conventional wisdom, the most impactful bipartisan work for the country isn’t coming from the middle, it’s coming from the wings of the parties, and this caucus is just another example of that. This caucus represents a lot of the same dynamic that we’re seeing in our work with Concerned Veterans.  When two groups, or ideologies, that are so opposed to each other end up joining forces, it makes a big impact. This caucus will make a big impact.  We’re very pleased to offer them our full support.”

CVA and VoteVets recently joined forces on Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers in support of a more restrained foreign policy and repeal of the 2001 AUMF.

Additionally, CVA last month launched its “Rethink Foreign Policy” campaign targeting lawmakers and DC-area influencers and CVA pinpointed foreign policy, specifically focusing on withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan and Syria, as a key legislative objective for 2019.