Ilhan Omar Moves to Block Military Force Against Terror Groups, Repeal Alien Enemies Act

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Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has introduced several amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would place limits on presidential military authority and reshape aspects of U.S. defense and foreign policy.

One measure would state that the designation of a foreign terrorist organization does not automatically authorize the use of military force.

The amendment is among several proposals Omar submitted to the annual defense policy bill, targeting several Trump administration policies and defense priorities, including military operations, foreign aid, immigration authorities, and congressional oversight.

Omar’s Amendment #1273 expresses the “sense of Congress” that designating an organization as a foreign terrorist organization does not constitute an authorization for military action.

Since it is a sense-of-Congress provision, the measure would express lawmakers’ position rather than create a legally binding restriction.

The proposal comes as the Trump administration has used terrorism designations as part of broader national security efforts, including actions involving foreign drug cartels.

There are more than 70 groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations, including terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, and more recently designated organizations linked to transnational criminal activity.

The designation process gives the federal government additional tools to target organizations viewed as national security threats, while the scope of presidential authority to use military force remains part of a long-running fight over executive power and congressional oversight.

Matt O’Brien, deputy executive director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform and a former immigration judge, told The Daily Signal that he believes the amendment could limit presidential authority in situations involving national security threats.

Critics of the amendment argue it could create additional barriers for presidents responding to rapidly developing threats, while supporters of stronger congressional oversight argue that decisions involving military action should require legislative approval.

The amendment is one of several Omar introduced as part of the NDAA process.

Other proposals include repealing the Alien Enemies Act, requiring reports on foreign governments’ activities, restricting certain arms sales, increasing oversight of artificial intelligence in military systems, and ending the War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel.

Omar’s office said the amendments are intended to emphasize human rights, congressional oversight, and accountability in U.S. defense policy.

Another amendment, #1152, would repeal the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law that allows the president to take certain actions against nationals of hostile foreign countries during periods of declared or recognized conflict.

President Trump has invoked the law during his second term in connection with efforts to remove suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

The move has faced legal challenges from civil liberties groups and criticism from some lawmakers who argued the process raised due process concerns.

Omar also proposed ending the War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel, a program that allows the United States to maintain military equipment in Israel for potential emergency use.

The stockpile has been used during previous conflicts to help speed military resupply.

Critics argue ending the authority could limit the United States’ ability to quickly support a longtime ally during a conflict, while supporters argue Congress should reevaluate longstanding military assistance policies.

The NDAA amendments now move through the congressional legislative process, where lawmakers will debate which proposals are included in the final defense authorization package.

The annual bill typically sets defense priorities and authorizes funding levels, though individual amendments may be modified, rejected, or excluded before final passage.