Cebu_4_2
29th August 2013, 10:46 AM
House members seek congressional authorization for Syria intervention Thu, 08/29/2013 - 8:10am | posted by Jason Pye (http://www.unitedliberty.org/users/jpye)
http://www.unitedliberty.org/files/images/capitol_0.jpg
More than 110 members of the House of Representatives (http://rigell.house.gov/uploadedfiles/8.28.13_letter_to_potus_with_signatories.pdf) are urging President Barack Obama to seek congressional authorization for any military action that his administration plans to take in Syria.
The White House has said that President Obama will consult leaders in Congress about the planned air strikes against Bashar Assad’s regime, which is the administration’s response to the alleged use of chemical weapons against his own citizens. But that’s not enough for House members who note that a president is legally required to seek authorization from Congress before using force overseas.
“We strongly urge you to consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria. Your responsibility to do so is prescribed in the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973,” wrote Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA), who has circulated the letter to his colleagues in the House, gathering 116 signatories from members of both parties.
Rigell noted that the Founders gave the executive branch the power to take action during emergencies, but he pointed out that Syria doesn’t represent a direct threat to the security of the United States.
He also challenged the case for unilateral military action that the White House made when it participated in the 2011 bombing campaign against Libya. The War Powers Resolution, on which the White House rests for authority for action in Syria, specifically requires a president to seek congressional approval (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14746-no-the-war-powers-act-does-not-authorize-unilateral-executive-preemptive-military-act) for military action.
“If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request,” added Rigell. “We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.”
President Obama is expected to brief congressional leaders this afternoon on Syria. The bombing campaign could begin as early as today.
You can view the letter and the full list of signers below.
Letter to Obama on Syria intervention (http://www.scribd.com/doc/163761342/Letter-to-Obama-on-Syria-intervention)
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http://www.unitedliberty.org/files/images/capitol_0.jpg
More than 110 members of the House of Representatives (http://rigell.house.gov/uploadedfiles/8.28.13_letter_to_potus_with_signatories.pdf) are urging President Barack Obama to seek congressional authorization for any military action that his administration plans to take in Syria.
The White House has said that President Obama will consult leaders in Congress about the planned air strikes against Bashar Assad’s regime, which is the administration’s response to the alleged use of chemical weapons against his own citizens. But that’s not enough for House members who note that a president is legally required to seek authorization from Congress before using force overseas.
“We strongly urge you to consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria. Your responsibility to do so is prescribed in the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973,” wrote Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA), who has circulated the letter to his colleagues in the House, gathering 116 signatories from members of both parties.
Rigell noted that the Founders gave the executive branch the power to take action during emergencies, but he pointed out that Syria doesn’t represent a direct threat to the security of the United States.
He also challenged the case for unilateral military action that the White House made when it participated in the 2011 bombing campaign against Libya. The War Powers Resolution, on which the White House rests for authority for action in Syria, specifically requires a president to seek congressional approval (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14746-no-the-war-powers-act-does-not-authorize-unilateral-executive-preemptive-military-act) for military action.
“If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request,” added Rigell. “We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.”
President Obama is expected to brief congressional leaders this afternoon on Syria. The bombing campaign could begin as early as today.
You can view the letter and the full list of signers below.
Letter to Obama on Syria intervention (http://www.scribd.com/doc/163761342/Letter-to-Obama-on-Syria-intervention)
Related Posts
Biden floated impeachment for unilateral military action in 2007 (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14762-biden-floated-impeachment-for-unilateral-military-action-in-2007)
U.S. to turn into "al-Qaeda's air force," says Kucinich (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14768-us-to-turn-into-al-qaedas-air-force-says-kucinich)
Rand Paul: There is no national security interest in Syria (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14761-rand-paul-there-is-no-national-security-interest-in-syria)
Barbara Boxer wants a $10 minimum wage (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14751-barbara-boxer-wants-a-10-minimum-wage)
No, the War Powers Act does not authorize unilateral executive preemptive military action (http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14746-no-the-war-powers-act-does-not-authorize-unilateral-executive-preemptive-military-act)