According to the Constitution only Congress has the power to declare war, where as the President has the power to set up an army; let the conflict begin. During the course of the Obama administration, President Obama and Congress have consistently butted heads over the Constitutionality of his decisions to send troops around the world, without Congressional approval. Obamas willingness to bypass Congress has brought up a string of problems, some of which spectators view as unsolvable.
In 2011 President Obama sent troops into Libya without approval from Congress. Similarly, recently President Obama asked Congress for approval through what’s called an Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF), to send troops to the Middle East to fight the growing terrorist organization ISIS. Congress is having a fit because they feel that President Obama has violated the War Powers Act of 1973. In the WPR (War Powers Resolution), it states that the president can deploy troops, but must withdraw them if after sixty days he still does not have Congressional approval. …show more content…
Most military action can be accomplished in less than the sixty day limit, so essentially the President can deploy troops, have them fight, and then bring them back on the fifty-ninth day; all without Congressional approval. Furthermore, much of the fighting done in todays era is though drones. Often times U.S. soldiers never even have to touch the ground because drones can fly and shoot for them. This advance in technology serves as a sort of loop hole for the President as he can send drones and still not violate the WPR. Also, air strikes are not considered war so thats just one more loop hole for the president. Similarly many argue that the War Powers Act only defines war as when it puts U.S. troops in danger, which an air strike does not. Clearly the WPR leaves quite a bit of wiggle room for the President to work
In 2011 President Obama sent troops into Libya without approval from Congress. Similarly, recently President Obama asked Congress for approval through what’s called an Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF), to send troops to the Middle East to fight the growing terrorist organization ISIS. Congress is having a fit because they feel that President Obama has violated the War Powers Act of 1973. In the WPR (War Powers Resolution), it states that the president can deploy troops, but must withdraw them if after sixty days he still does not have Congressional approval. …show more content…
Most military action can be accomplished in less than the sixty day limit, so essentially the President can deploy troops, have them fight, and then bring them back on the fifty-ninth day; all without Congressional approval. Furthermore, much of the fighting done in todays era is though drones. Often times U.S. soldiers never even have to touch the ground because drones can fly and shoot for them. This advance in technology serves as a sort of loop hole for the President as he can send drones and still not violate the WPR. Also, air strikes are not considered war so thats just one more loop hole for the president. Similarly many argue that the War Powers Act only defines war as when it puts U.S. troops in danger, which an air strike does not. Clearly the WPR leaves quite a bit of wiggle room for the President to work