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Illustration: Annelise Capossela\/Axios<\/p>\n
Lawmakers spearheading the effort to repeal decades-old authorizations for the use of military force (AUMF) are already eyeing other ways to rein in executive power.<\/p>\n
The big picture: <\/strong>The story of presidential power in the United States has been one of consistent expansion, and that growth has only accelerated in the 21st century. Now, some in Congress want to claw it back.<\/p>\n Driving the news: <\/strong>The Senate on Thursday took its first procedural votes to repeal the AUMFs green-lighting the 1991 Gulf War and 2002 Iraq War, voting 68-27 to advance the joint resolution.<\/p>\n What they're saying: <\/strong>"We should properly follow the Constitution and let the American people have their own voice in this process, through their elected representatives in Congress," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said in a floor speech on Thursday in support of repealing the AUMFs.<\/p>\n Yes, but: <\/strong>It's not yet clear whether House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will bring the bill up for a vote, even as it's supported by many of the right-wing hardliners he has empowered.<\/p>\n What we're watching: <\/strong>Senators who led the charge to repeal the old AUMFs laid out other initiatives they're eyeing to reassert congressional power in the face of creeping executive authority.<\/p>\n Reality check: <\/strong>Grassley isn't alone in his pessimism. Although repealing the Iraq AUMFs is garnering broad bipartisan support, more sweeping measures would likely face an uphill battle.<\/p>\n The other side: <\/strong>One senator who voted against advancing AUMF repeal Thursday, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), told Axios that the president "always seems to find Article II [constitutional] authority to do what they want to do."<\/p>\n\n
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