Posted on 06/03/2011 5:24:04 PM PDT by Congressman Tom McClintock
House Floor Remarks, June 3rd
M. Speaker:
Lets be clear: without prior Congressional authorization, under the War Powers Act, the President may only commit armed forces to hostilities for sixty days if there is a direct attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its armed forces.
There was none, so there is no sixty day clock and the President’s unprovoked attack on Libya – from Day One – constituted an illegal and unconstitutional act of the highest significance.
If the President felt there was moral justification to attack Libya, he was constitutionally required to make his case to Congress and get its authorization. He did not.
Some say, “we’re already committed; it’s too late for Congress to order a withdrawal without harming America’s reputation or undermining her allies.” If we take that position, then we have just changed the Constitution to read as follows: “The President may attack any country he wants for any reason he wants and the Congress has no choice but to follow.”
The President has crossed a bright Constitutional line and this Congress has a clear moral and Constitutional duty to intervene.
If we fail to do so, we will have destroyed the work of the American founders by fundamentally changing the legislative and executive functions on the most momentous decision our nation can make and take our country down dark and bloody roads the American Founders sought to avoid.
Kudos for consistency.
I wish the Brown Nose Media was as consistent.
Okay now we really know how bad Obama is, even Kucinich is making more sense. Oh American people what have you done.
Right or wrong, President Bush went before Congress and gained their authorization for the use of force in Iraq. So why didn’t President Obama attempt to do the same? The Republicans would probably vote to authorize the use of force in Libya so they won’t be seen as weak on “National Defense”.
It is pretty bad when you have to say Dennis is right. But he is right we attacked a sleeping dog which we had neutered with the invasion of Iraq.
Are you really Tom McClintock?
President Bush right, Obama wrong.
Even Kucinich sees how dangerous obama is;I do not believe obama will leave office quietly.
bttt
If he really is McClintock, I agree with him. And even if he isn’t, I still agree with him.
All true. So...when do impeachment proceedings start? I won’t hold my breath. A century of democrat corruption has consequences. Some of these are a lack of will and courage to enforce the constitution.
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