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Congressman Matt Gaetz Introduces Somalia War Powers Resolution to Force House Vote on Removal of U.S. Armed Forces

March 28, 2023

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) introduced a War Powers Resolution to direct President Joe Biden to remove the United States Armed Forces from Somalia, excluding the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to protect the United States Embassy. Since War Powers Resolutions are privileged, the House of Representatives will be forced to vote on Rep. Gaetz's resolution within 18 days of its introduction.

Pursuant to section (5) of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Rep. Gaetz's War Powers Resolution mandates the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from Somalia no later than 365 days after the date of the resolution's adoption. The resolution is co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-09) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13).

Last week, Rep. Gaetz, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, grilled General Michael Langley, Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, over the percentage of African soldiers, trained by the U.S. military, that later led coups against their own civilian governments.In response to Rep. Gaetz's line of questioning, General Michael Langley shockingly responded in the affirmative, claiming it is a "very small number" and that the United States "shares core values" with the same African military coup leaders trained by the U.S. Armed Forces.

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives voted on a War Powers Resolution, introduced by Rep. Gaetz, to remove the U.S. Armed Forces from Syria. Ultimately, the resolution was not adopted by a vote of 103-321, with support from 47 Republicans and 56 Democrats.

"The American people have extremely low confidence in our military leaders and their ability to assess their own efficacy. How do they expect Americans to believe their justification for occupying Somalia when they can't even determine who in their own training programs will lead a violent coup afterwards?

When the House debated my resolution to withdraw troops from Syria, both Republicans and Democrats argued the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force against Afghanistan serves as a global permission slip for every neocon fantasy. They will argue the same for Somalia.

But as Americans become more aware of our country's military misadventures abroad, the calls to end forever wars are growing. While the Congressional War Machine has decided to rage on in Syria, they must explain how continuing the occupation of Somalia best serves the interests of the American people at home. If they cannot, it is incumbent upon the Congress to bring our troops home from Somalia," said Congressman Gaetz.

Full text of Congressman Gaetz's Somalia War Powers Resolution can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the resolution by Fox News can be found HERE.

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