U.S. Senate unanimously endorses repeal of 2002 Iraq battle decision

More than 20 years later, the U.S. Congress is on the verge of writing a closing chapter to the battle in Iraq.

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday (October 9, 2025) to repeal the decision that authorised the 2003 U.S. invasion, following a House vote final month that will return the essential battle energy to the Congress.

The modification by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, and Indiana Senator Todd Young, a Republican, was authorised by a voice vote on an annual defence authorisation Bill that handed the Senate late Thursday (October 9, 2025) — a unanimous endorsement for ending the battle that many now view as a mistake.

Iraqi deaths had been estimated within the lots of of 1000’s, and almost 5,000 U.S. troops had been killed within the battle after the then U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration falsely claimed that the then Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.

“That’s the best way the battle ends, not with a bang however a whimper,” Mr. Kaine mentioned after the vote, which lasted just a few seconds with no debate and no objections. Still, he mentioned, “America is ceaselessly modified by these wars, and the Middle East too.” Supporters in each the House and the Senate say the repeal is essential to stop future abuses and to strengthen that Iraq is now a strategic associate with the United States.

The House added an analogous modification to its model of the defence measure in September 2025, which means the repeal is more likely to find yourself within the last Bill as soon as the 2 chambers reconcile the 2 items of laws. Both Bills repeal the 1991 authorisation that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War.

While Congress seems poised to cross the repeal, it’s unclear whether or not President Donald Trump will assist it. During his first time period, his administration cited the 2002 Iraq decision as a part of its authorized justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassim Soleimani. It has in any other case been hardly ever used.

Mr. Young mentioned after the vote that he thinks Mr. Trump ought to “take nice satisfaction” in signing the Bill after campaigning on ending the so-called “ceaselessly wars”, particularly as a result of he could be the primary President in current historical past to legally finish a longstanding battle. He mentioned the vote establishes an necessary precedent.

“Congress is now very clearly asserting that it’s our prerogative and our accountability not solely to authorise but additionally to deliver to an finish army conflicts,” Mr. Young mentioned.

The bipartisan vote, added to the bigger bipartisan defence measure, got here amid a bitter partisan standoff over a weeklong authorities shutdown. Mr. Young mentioned the fast vote was an “extraordinary second” that he hopes “will assist some individuals see that we will nonetheless do consequential issues within the U.S. Congress.” The Senate additionally voted to repeal the 2002 decision two years in the past on a 66-30 vote. While some Republicans privately informed Mr. Kaine that they had been nonetheless against the measure, none objected to the unanimous vote on the ground on Thursday (October 9, 2025) night.

A separate 2001 authorisation for the worldwide battle on terror would stay in place beneath the Bill. While the 2002 and 1991 resolutions are hardly ever used and focussed on only one nation, Iraq, the 2001 measure gave the then President George W. Bush broad authority for the invasion of Afghanistan, approving power “in opposition to these nations, organisations, or individuals” that deliberate or aided the September 11, 2001, assaults on the United States.

Passed in September 2001, it has been used in recent times to justify U.S. army motion in opposition to teams — together with al-Qaida and its associates, such because the Islamic State group and al-Shabab — which can be deemed to be a risk in opposition to America.