House Republicans Propose Update for 9/11 Anti-Terror Bill

Congress almost unanimously passed legislation on Sept. 14, 2001, titled the “Authorization for the Use of Military Force.” Republicans now seek to update that law, Politico reports.

The 2001 law authorized President George W. Bush to use “all necessary and appropriate force” against terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks and anyone who protected the terrorists. That legislation still stands as the primary legal underpinning for the war in Afghanistan and the detention of suspected al-Qaida terrorists.

“It’s been a decade . . . Bin Laden is gone. We need to update the law,” says Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas. He backs a defense authorization bill that reaffirms and clarifies the 2001 resolution. That bill was released by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon Monday.

The concern is that failure to update the law could at some point put a halt to the fight against terrorism, as the law permits action only against terrorists connected to the 9/11 attacks.