Posted on 09/25/2013 5:18:39 AM PDT by 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
Posted for comments.
Obama don’t need no stinkin’ Constitution. He rules by fiat!
I don’t know how much longer he can get away with it.
There has been some interesting information pop-up on the internet during the past week concerning BHO2 having committed treason.
Since when does His Royal Highness King Obongo listen to congress - or for that matter, give a rat’s *ss about the constitution....?
I bet old Obama filled his drawers on that one. Very SCARY. /s
Law, yes. Practice, no.
Signing this treaty is an act of treason, and it’s not the first act of treason by either Obama or John Kerry.
We all know of John Kerry’s Treason when he met with the Viet Cong in Paris, and yet Mr.Corker and 96 other Senators voted to make him Secretary of State. An act of Treason in itself IMO. As for Obama, he committed Treason when he started arming rebel fighters of Al Qaeda, and got an Ambassador killed. Nop telling what other acts he has committed that our Media helps him hide.
IMO his fraudulent occupation of the White House is an act of Treason. We don’t know who this man is or where he came from?
Yeah....like the GOP leadership is going to do anything to fight this other than have a couple if “show votes”.
If I had any faith in the GOP to do anything right, this Obamacare debacle has crushed it.
Like a spoiled child he will constantly try to get away with anything he can.
What are YOU going to do Rhino? Are you gonna impeach the slavemaster?
Is there really a Congress?
We the People WILL NOT COMPLY!
Treason.
And what do you call the practice of ignoring laws that don’t suit you?
Anarchy.
This administration is wallowing in both traitors and anarchists.
I only see Ted Cruz.
This idiot RINO thinks Obama gives a crap about the Constitution. Wake up! We have an imperial rogue administration.
Molon labe
You may not have a choice. What some people don't realize is a treaty like this isn't going to immediately result in attempts to 'take your guns away'.
How it will be used is to limit or eliminate importation of guns, gun parts, ammo, ammunition components and maybe even related production equipment.
The treaty will be used to harrass and make more difficult and more expensive to own, or use firearms. It will discourge participation in the firearms sports, hobbies and Second Amendment support.
It's a long term strategy to slowly eat away the concept of owing firearms or engaging in personal self-defense.
Like Obamacare, the Democrat Party and this Administration will never miss any opportunity to poke us in the eye with a political sharp stick.
can the US make a treaty with a NON governing entity ( or sovereign nation)????????
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