to take this vote. We have already asked too many U.S. service members to risk their lives without a political consensus behind this mission, he added. What to expect from the lame duck Congress The current AUMF was passed in 2001, just days after the 9/11 attacks. Though the language of the authorization only covers military action against those who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in recent years it has been used to cover action against any group or individual the administration considers associated with al Qaeda. A second authorization for use of military force against Iraq was passed in 2002, permitting the president to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq and enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.