War Powers Act

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Republicans Help Pass Limits on Trump's War Powers

Senators say Congress needs to reclaim that authority

(Newser) - The Senate has approved restricting President Trump's authority to wage war on Iran. The resolution, passed 55-45, would require the president to end any military action within 30 days unless he had the approval of Congress, the Hill reports. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, introduced the War Powers...

House Votes to Limit Trump's Military Actions

A similar measure awaits in the Senate

(Newser) - Reigniting a debate over who has the power to declare war, the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved a resolution asserting that President Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran. The war powers resolution is not binding on the president and would not require...

Fight Over War Powers Looms in Congress
Fight Over War Powers
Looms in Congress
THE RUNDOWN
Jan 9, 2020 6:43 AM CST

Fight Over War Powers Looms in Congress

Pelosi says vote will be held Thursday

(Newser) - Iran and the US appear to have stepped back from the brink of war—but congressional Democrats still want to make sure President Trump's ability to take action against the country is reined in. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday that the chamber will vote Thursday on a war...

Senate May Invoke War Powers Act for First Time
In Historic First, Senate
Invokes War Powers Act
the rundown
Dec 13, 2018 3:45 PM CST

In Historic First, Senate Invokes War Powers Act

Calls for US to end support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen war; 2nd vote condemns prince

(Newser) - The Senate on Thursday sent what the Washington Post described as a historic rebuke to the White House over Saudi Arabia. Actually, it delivered two rebukes. First, senators voted 56-41 to invoke the War Powers Act and demand that the US end its military support of the Saudi-led coalition in...

It's Crazy the President Can Launch Nukes on His Own

Op-ed argues that Congress should amend the War Powers Act

(Newser) - The saber rattling currently taking place between the White House and North Korea makes clear that it's time for Congress to close a dangerous loophole, write two op-ed writers in the New York Times . They think it's outrageous that one person—the president—has the authority to launch...

US: Yes, We're Fighting in Somalia, Yemen

Obama acknowledges battles against extremists there

(Newser) - For the first time, President Obama has publicly acknowledged the United States has engaged in "direct action" against al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in Somalia and Yemen, telling Congress in a letter that the militants pose terrorist threats to "the United States and our interests," reports the New York Times...

Obama Sends US Troops to Hunt African Militia Leader

One-hundred will help find Joseph Kony of Lord's Resistance Army

(Newser) - President Obama is sending about 100 US troops to central Africa to help track down Joseph Kony, the head of the Lord’s Resistance Army, he told Congress today. Obama said that LRA “has murdered, raped, and kidnapped tens of thousands of men, women and children in central Africa,...

Obama Wins One, Loses One in House Over Libya

Symbolic measure to cut off funds fails

(Newser) - House Republicans wanted to deliver a one-two rebuke to President Obama today over Libya, but they'll have to settle for half that:
  • Good news for Obama: A GOP-led measure to cut off funds for the military operation failed 238-180. It was a surprise victory for the administration, notes the
...

Obama Overruled Top Lawyers on Libya

Office of Legal Counsel says he needs congressional approval

(Newser) - John Boehner isn't the only one who thinks President Obama is overstepping his legal authority in Libya. The president overruled some of the administration's top lawyers when he decided to continue participating in the air war without congressional approval, reports Charlie Savage in the New York Times...

Boehner Threatens to Pull Plug on Libya

If White House legal counsel isn't satisfied with Obama's arguments

(Newser) - John Boehner took a harder line on Libya than usual today, saying that Congress might yank funding for the non-war if the White House Office of Legal Counsel doesn’t support President Obama’s argument that his actions are legal . “The ultimate option is … the Congress has the...

White House: US Action in Libya Is Legal

It doesn't amount to 'hostilities' under War Powers Act: Lawyers

(Newser) - Moammar Gadhafi might be a little surprised to learn that the US isn't waging war, or even "hostilities," on him. It's all a matter semantics: The White House today said it does not need congressional approval under the War Powers Act to continue because its actions...

Boehner to Obama: You've Got Til Friday to Justify Libya

House speaker warns president he may be violating War Powers Act

(Newser) - President Obama has until Friday to ask Congress for authorization of the US mission in Libya, or he will be in violation of the War Powers Act, John Boehner warned him yesterday. The House speaker, noting that Friday will mark 90 days since the US began attacking Libya as part...

Obama Unites Parties ... Against His Libya Evasions

It's time for him to obey the War Powers Resolution

(Newser) - President Obama has finally gotten Democrats and Republicans to agree on something. Unfortunately for him, it’s their distaste for his “odd stand on the Libyan war’s legality,” a Washington Times editorial observes. With this resolution , Congress told the president that his present stance on Libya—that...

GOP Spikes Bill to End Libya Conflict...

...Because they're afraid Kucinich's resolution could pass

(Newser) - House GOP leaders canceled a vote on a Dennis Kucinich resolution to end the conflict in Libya today, because they were afraid lawmakers would actually vote for the thing. John Boehner “is concerned that if this were to come to the floor now, it would pass,” one senior...

Lawmakers: Obama Breaking the Law in Libya

He's quietly blown by 60-day deadline for Congress' approval

(Newser) - Rumblings are growing in Congress about President Obama’s failure to get congressional approval for the military operation in Libya, the Washington Post observes. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Obama needs congressional approval for a military action within 60 days of launching it, but that deadline came and...

War Power Must Be Jointly Held
War Power Must Be Jointly Held
OPINION
Jul 8, 2008 12:05 PM CDT

War Power Must Be Jointly Held

Ex-State chiefs propose bill requiring Congress, prez to have defined, cooperative roles

(Newser) - Calling the current system “ineffective at best and unconstitutional at worst,” two former Secretaries of State propose a sweeping update of law governing powers to declare war—whereby the president would be required to seek permission from Congress for “significant armed conflict” (lasting more than a week)....

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