As the war in Afghanistan approaches its 17th year, Congress has approved a new special operations commander, Lt. Gen. Scott Miller. Miller is the ninth U.S. general in the role since the war began in 2001. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee recently questioned Miller on what his plans are to end the war or change its direction. The unsettling part of the whole conversation is knowing that’s the extent of what Congress can currently do.

Congress has been at the mercy of the president since 2001 when the Authorized Use of Military Force was passed. Unfortunately, some members of Congress are trying to limit their powers even further, through an updated AUMF. The bill, proposed by Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., will create even broader powers for the executive branch.