Washington, October 24 (RHC)-- In Washington, in the wake of the controversy over the deaths of four U.S. troops in the African country of Niger, the U.S. Senate has expressed surprise that there are 1,000 U.S. troops even stationed in Niger.

The controversy helped prompt the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to schedule hearings on the Authorization for the Use of Military Force, or AUMF -- a bill passed in the wake of the September 11 attacks that’s been used by presidents to justify military actions around the globe for the last 16 years.

The committee chair, Tennessee Republican Bob Corker, said in a statement: “[It is] perhaps more important than ever that we have a sober national conversation about Congress’ constitutional role in authorizing the use of military force.”