Posted on 03/18/2011 4:19:41 PM PDT by DannyTN
Does President Obama need Congressional authorization before taking military action against Libya? Is a no-fly zone a good idea? Congressional opinion on those questions has been divided -- and not along the usual party lines.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
To my knowledge, Congress has never given the President authority to engage American troops at UN request for any reason. There were specific congressional resolutions authorizing Kosovo and both gulf wars and Afghanistan.
The UN does not override Congress, and the UN has zero Constitutional authority
But, that was then. This is now!
I expected a poll with this story but there is no poll. In fact I have seen no polls
No
I believe the War Powers Act to be unconstitutional.
All that having been said, the voters can take out their ire at Obama in 2012 if this thing turns to crap.
Why bother? People do whatever they want these days.
Yes. No.
I don’t know if Fox News Radio can be trusted but they reported we may only be providing logistical support with France & UK enforcing the no-fly zone. Does refueling constitute military action that requires congressional approval?
Politically... if we don’t give it to him we’ll be blamed for ALL the failures from his weak leadership in the world.
And we would be cementing the world’s view of American futility in the world.
Though he is the one responsible for it- we get the blame.
Legally, he needs congressional authorization first.
Though the urgency to act to defend civilians may give him cover under existing law. There may be some law or treaty wording about acting in a case like this.
“On March 23, 1999, the day before President Clinton approved
the use of force in Kosovo, the Senate adopted a resolution authorizing
air operations and missile strikes in cooperation with NATO
against Yugoslavia.20 On March 24, the same day the President
acted, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution supporting
U.S. armed forces engaged in military operations against the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia.21”
You're probably right. But we should insist before he does it that he seek the proper approval. When he does it without the proper approval, the House should pass a resolution reprimanding him for failing to obide by the law. That keeps the precedent and puts him on notice without a full impeachment that would backfire and fail.
I’d say no, I don’t really think we have an interest in Libya.
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