The power to end war
By Charles Stevenson | Wednesday, August 22, 2007 | The Boston Globe
The Congress has restricted presidential authority to wage war on numerous occasions. though that fact has not gotten much attention recently:
“…How many people realize, for example, that Congress has formally authorized the use of force at least 15 times in addition to the five conflicts in which it voted a declaration of war? How many realize that there have been at least seven occasions when Congress denied specific presidential requests for authorities or capabilities to fight the war as he wished? How many realize that Congress voted to tie the hands of at least six presidents with legally binding limits on conducting significant military activities — and that those presidents complied with the restrictions? Those who say Congress shouldn’t micromanage military operations or shouldn’t interfere with the commander in chief’s freedom of action need to explain why these precedents should have no weight now….”
This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007 at 5:21 AM and filed under History, Peace, Politics, War. Follow comments here with the RSS 2.0 feed. Skip to the end and leave a response. Trackbacks are closed.
