Over two decades after its initial authorization, the United States Congress is poised to officially close a contentious chapter in the history of the Iraq War.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate cast a decisive vote to repeal the resolution that initially greenlit the 2003 U.S. invasion. This move mirrors a similar vote in the House last month, signaling a clear intent to restore fundamental war-making authority to Congress.
This significant amendment, championed by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat) and Indiana Senator Todd Young (Republican), received unanimous approval via a voice vote on an annual defense authorization Bill passed by the Senate late Thursday. This unified endorsement underscores a widespread sentiment that the Iraq War was a regrettable endeavor.
The conflict resulted in tragic consequences, with hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives lost and nearly 5,000 U.S. service members killed. This devastating war began under former U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration, which had falsely asserted that then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Following the swift vote, which concluded in mere seconds without debate or objection, Senator Kaine remarked, “That’s the way the war ends, not with a bang but a whimper.” He emphasized that “America is forever changed by those wars, and the Middle East too.” Advocates in both legislative chambers highlight the repeal’s importance in deterring future misuses of war powers and affirming Iraq’s current status as a strategic ally of the United States.
With the House having incorporated a similar amendment into its defense measure in September 2025, it is highly probable that this repeal will be included in the final Bill after both chambers reconcile their legislation. Notably, both versions of the Bill also revoke the 1991 authorization that approved the U.S.-led Gulf War.
Although Congress seems ready to finalize the repeal, President Donald Trump’s stance remains uncertain. During his initial term, his administration controversially invoked the 2002 Iraq resolution to legally justify a 2020 U.S. drone strike that resulted in the death of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani. Apart from this instance, the resolution has seen minimal use.
Senator Young expressed his belief that President Trump should “take great pride” in signing this Bill, especially given his campaign promise to end “forever wars.” Young pointed out that Trump would be the first President in recent memory to formally conclude a prolonged conflict, establishing a significant precedent.
Senator Young asserted, “Congress is now very clearly asserting that it is our prerogative and our responsibility not only to authorize but also to bring to an end military conflicts.”
This bipartisan vote, seamlessly integrated into a broader defense measure, occurred amidst a contentious partisan deadlock stemming from a week-long government shutdown. Young characterized the swift, unanimous vote as an “extraordinary moment,” expressing hope that it would demonstrate Congress’s capacity for impactful legislative action. It’s worth noting that the Senate previously voted to repeal the 2002 resolution two years prior, with a 66-30 margin. While some Republicans privately harbored reservations, no objections were raised during Thursday evening’s unanimous floor vote.
Crucially, a separate 2001 authorization pertaining to the global war on terror will remain active under this new Bill. Unlike the 2002 and 1991 resolutions, which were narrowly focused on Iraq and rarely invoked, the 2001 measure provided then-President George W. Bush extensive authority for the invasion of Afghanistan, sanctioning military force “against those nations, organizations, or persons” involved in or supporting the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
Enacted in September 2001, this authorization has been consistently utilized in recent years to legitimize U.S. military operations against various groups, including al-Qaida, its affiliates like the Islamic State group, and al-Shabab, all considered threats to American security.