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As the U.S. military campaign in Libya approaches the 60-day mark this Friday, six Republican senators wrote President Obama asking if he will comply with the War Powers Act, which says Congress must authorize action that lasts more than 60 days.
"Friday is the final day of the statutory sixty-day period for you to terminate the use of the United States Armed Forces in Libya under the War Powers Resolution. Last week some in your Administration indicated use of the United States Armed Forces will continue indefinitely, while others said you would act in a manner consistent with the War Powers Resolution. Therefore, we are writing to ask whether you intend to comply with the requirements of the War Powers Resolution. We await your response," wrote the GOP senators Wednesday.
The letter was signed by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.
The GOP senators said they believe the president already violated part of the War Powers Act – which says the president's constitutional powers allow him to only deploy troops into "hostilities" with a declaration of war, specific authorization from Congress or a national emergency caused by an attack on the U.S.
But the president did follow the provision in the 1973 law requiring him to provide information to Congress about committing U.S. forces. Now the question is whether he will abide by the part of the War Powers Act which says he must get Congressional permission within 60 days.
History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action.
Originally posted by The Old American
He will exercise the authority he thinks he has to continue our hostile occupation of Libya. Obama won't have Congress vote on it because that would mean admitting he was wrong to enter Libya without Congressional approval. Not to mention it would be asking the Republicans for permission. He doesn't ask, he dictates.
/TOA
Originally posted by jam321
Do Drone strikes in Pakistan violate the War Power Act?
Maybe I should ask these six Republicans.
...all Obama has to say is "You voted for defense spending" ergo "you voted for the attacks".
Originally posted by FTD Brat
Start the countdown...
Obama will most likely do nothing. As I understand it, the War Powers act allows for 60 days worth of money to fund the military operations the president is attempting to carry out. Now, what will happen when it comes time for congress to fund the aforementioned operations? The vast majority will most likely vote in approval; The representatives and senators will not "vote against the troops" if they wish to keep their seats after the next election.
Originally posted by WeRpeons
reply to post by beezzer
Let me make it clear, I don't care for Obama or for any other lying politician for that matter. Obama sold this country a bag of goods and his foreign policy is just a continuation of the previous administration.
I'm just amazed how people like you can ignore Bush's 8 years of incompetency. Bush invaded a sovereign country under false pretenses. Bush used the tragedy of 9/11 as a way to whittle away at American's constitutional rights. He took part in causing the worst economic recession since the depression. He and his administration had questionable campaign contributions and connections with criminal corporations such as Enron and Haliburton. His family has been connected to corporate fraud in the S&L scandel. His administration ignored the Geneva Convention and authorized torture and illegal wire taps,
Any honest American can easily say the turning point started with the Bush Administration, and now it's just a continuation of our government over stepping it bounds for it own secret agenda.