Corker Warns Obama Administration Against Any Action to Implement U.N. Arms Trade Treaty...

U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations ^ | Sept. 24, 2013 | U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn

[SatinDoll]

WASHINGTON – Asserting the Senate’s constitutional role on treaties, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, in a letter today warned the Obama administration against taking any action to implement the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty without Senate advice and consent.

“The ATT raises significant legislative and constitutional questions. Any act to implement this treaty, provisionally or otherwise, before the Congress provides its advice and consent would be fundamentally inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution, law, and practice,” said Corker.

Full text of the letter is included below and in the attached document.

Dear President Obama,

It is my understanding that Secretary of State John Kerry will sign the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on behalf of the United States. The ATT raises significant legislative and constitutional questions. Any act to implement this treaty, provisionally or otherwise, before the Congress provides its advice and consent would be inconsistent with the United States Constitution, law, and practice.

As you know, Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution requires the United States Senate to provide its advice and consent before a treaty becomes binding under United States law. The Senate has not yet provided its advice and consent, and may not provide such consent. As a result, the Executive Branch is not authorized to take any steps to implement the treaty.

Moreover, even after the Senate provides its advice and consent, certain treaties require changes to United States law in the form of legislation passed by both the House and Senate. The ATT is such a treaty. Various provisions of the ATT, including but not limited to those related to the regulation of imports and trade in conventional arms, require such implementing legislation and relate to matters exclusively reserved to Congress under our Constitution.

Because of the concerns discussed above, as well as the fundamental issues the ATT raises with respect to the individual rights protected by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, as the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, it is my view that you may not take any executive action to implement this treaty, provisionally or otherwise, unless and until: (1) the United States Senate has provided its constitutionally required advice and consent to its ratification; and (2) the Congress has passed any and all required legislation to bring this treaty into effect under United States domestic law.

Sincerely,

Senator Bob Corker Ranking Member

[kempster]

If Corker is the only one we have fighting for this we are doomed. We all know he will turn on a dime.

[LibLieSlayer]

I certainly hope so... he is still very dangerous.

[VerySadAmerican]

It’s comical how these republicans pretend they’re still relevant.

[ObamahatesPACoal]

Corker wants La Raza and the Mexican government to write US gun laws.

[appalachian_dweller]

>> It’s a long term strategy to slowly eat away the concept of owing firearms or engaging in personal self-defense. <<

Spot on observation.

[green iguana]

Yes, I do.

There are many laws, executive orders etc., that copy parts of treaties, signed or unsigned, ratified or not so. If a President really, really wants a treaty but can’t get it approved by the Senate, he’ll do what he thinks he can to implement as much of it as he thinks he can get away with.

Those without scruples, like the current douche in the position, will push the boundaries of that. That takes time, and rarely comes close to what ratification would have delivered.

But remember - even if there was no treaty to begin with, the President could still try to do all that same stuff, because that’s what he thinks he should do. Signing just indicates the executive wants it.

[grania]

Let Corker go whining to his buddy McCain with his gripes. The traitor didn’t support Cruz yesterday. I’d give a “pass” to anyone yesterday who showed up and asked Cruz a question. Corker was in hiding.

[jetvol1]

Has Mitch and John M. came out yet and said they agree that Obama has the right to sign this and implement it and that Corker is a Tea bagging nut?

[SoConPubbie]

Sorry Corker, you’ve been unmasked by your refusal to back Senator Cruz in the Defund ObamaCare movement.

We now have a litmus test by which we know whether or not any politician is a statemen, or just another punk engaging in political theatrics.

Corker Fails!

Empty words from a coward!

[jetvol1]

Now that Kerry signed it we’ll what Corker does. I suspect nothing but at least he wrote a letter.

So disappointed in my Senators.

[Theodore R.]

Corker? Why would anyone listen to a word that man has to say?

[Lancey Howard]

I’m sure Corker put this fancy letter out there to deflect attention from his Ubamacare cowardice.
No sale. A coward is a coward.

[Graewoulf]

The GOP made the mistake of putting three Doormat Republicans in for the final innings of three important POTUS Games.

Batter “Doormat” Dole struck out first, “Doormat” McCain struck out second, and then “Doormat” Romney was called out on three strikes right down the middle.

All that training, and he didn’t even swing! In fact, the bat never left his shoulder. However, Romney did have a great smile and good hair.

With the POTUS Games lost, the GOP Big Tent fell into disrepair.

Gradually, the increasing stench made it obvious that the old GOP had died when Romney lost in 2012.

We are just now finally casting off the dead weight of the old GOP in the Senate.

We are looking forward to the Senate Primary Season.

The lingering stench of the putrid GOP dead weight was decreased a lot this week by nice cool breezes coming out of TEXAS and Utah.

One benefit of a battle is to find out for sure who your hidden enemies are.
____________________________________

SENATE GOP DEAD WEIGHT LIST LOYAL TO OBAMA

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
John Barrasso (R-WY)

John Hoeven (R-ND)
Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
John Boozman (R-AR)
Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Richard Burr (R-NC)
Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Jeff Chiesa (R-NJ)

John McCain (R-AZ)
Dan Coats (R-IN)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Lisa Murkowksi (R-AK)

Thad Cochran (R-MS)
John Thune (R-SD)
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Bob Corker (R-TN)