House Democrats challenge Obama on Libya strikes
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Several House Democrats, including Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, are questioning the constitutionality of recent U.S. missile strikes against Libya.
On his website, the Ohio lawmaker quotes then Sen. Barack Obama, who said in 2007, “The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Kucinich released the following statement and letter to congressional leaders after President Obama announced that the United States will support a United Nations-approved attack on Libya:
“While the action is billed as protecting the civilians of Libya, a no-fly-zone begins with an attack on the air defenses of Libya and Qaddafi forces. It is an act of war. The president made statements which attempt to minimize U.S. action, but U.S. planes may drop U.S. bombs and U.S. missiles may be involved in striking another sovereign nation. War from the air is still war.
“Congress should be called back into session immediately to decide whether or not to authorize the United States’ participation in a military strike," Kucinich said. "If it does not, the action of the president is contrary to U.S. Constitution. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution clearly states that the United States Congress has the power to declare war. The president does not. That was the founders’ intent."
Joining Kucinich in opposition to the Libya bombings are Democrat Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Barbara Lee (Calif.) and John Larson (Conn.).
Larson released the following statement calling on the president to consult with the Congress before committing U.S. forces in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973:
“I commend President Obama for working with the U.N. and our allies to shape a strong international response to the violence in Libya and hope that Colonel Quadaffi adheres to his warning. However, I strongly urge him to consult with the Congress before committing U.S. forces in support of the U.N. Security Council Resolution.
“As Secretary Gates and others have noted, military action is tantamount to an act of war, which would require substantial resources over a long period of time. Given our current fiscal constraints, and our military’s current responsibilities, this truly deserves a robust debate before we commit our young men and women in uniform.
“If that means calling members of Congress back for a joint session, then that’s what we should do. It is imperative that members of Congress, as the direct representatives of our constituents, have the opportunity to weigh in before decisions are made. Using our military against another nation, even a brutal regime like Colonel Quadaffi’s, requires that Congress both be informed and exercise our constitutional authority.”[[In-content Ad]]
On his website, the Ohio lawmaker quotes then Sen. Barack Obama, who said in 2007, “The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Kucinich released the following statement and letter to congressional leaders after President Obama announced that the United States will support a United Nations-approved attack on Libya:
“While the action is billed as protecting the civilians of Libya, a no-fly-zone begins with an attack on the air defenses of Libya and Qaddafi forces. It is an act of war. The president made statements which attempt to minimize U.S. action, but U.S. planes may drop U.S. bombs and U.S. missiles may be involved in striking another sovereign nation. War from the air is still war.
“Congress should be called back into session immediately to decide whether or not to authorize the United States’ participation in a military strike," Kucinich said. "If it does not, the action of the president is contrary to U.S. Constitution. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution clearly states that the United States Congress has the power to declare war. The president does not. That was the founders’ intent."
Joining Kucinich in opposition to the Libya bombings are Democrat Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Barbara Lee (Calif.) and John Larson (Conn.).
Larson released the following statement calling on the president to consult with the Congress before committing U.S. forces in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973:
“I commend President Obama for working with the U.N. and our allies to shape a strong international response to the violence in Libya and hope that Colonel Quadaffi adheres to his warning. However, I strongly urge him to consult with the Congress before committing U.S. forces in support of the U.N. Security Council Resolution.
“As Secretary Gates and others have noted, military action is tantamount to an act of war, which would require substantial resources over a long period of time. Given our current fiscal constraints, and our military’s current responsibilities, this truly deserves a robust debate before we commit our young men and women in uniform.
“If that means calling members of Congress back for a joint session, then that’s what we should do. It is imperative that members of Congress, as the direct representatives of our constituents, have the opportunity to weigh in before decisions are made. Using our military against another nation, even a brutal regime like Colonel Quadaffi’s, requires that Congress both be informed and exercise our constitutional authority.”[[In-content Ad]]