Lawmakers to Obama: Syria strikes need our OK

Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at the State Department in Washington, Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, about the situation in Syria. Kerry said chemical weapons were used in Syria, and accused Assad of destroying evidence. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's possible military intervention in Syria is already running into fierce opposition among some members of Congress, with a growing chorus of Republican and Democratic lawmakers demanding he seek congressional authorization for any strikes against the Assad regime.

In the House, Republican Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia is asking colleagues to sign a letter to Obama that urges him to reconvene Congress and seek approval for any military action. And in the Senate, even some who support punishing the Syrian government for launching alleged chemical weapons attacks are joining the call for the president to first gain Congress' approval.

"Engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution," Rigell's letter argues.

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Permalink Reply by Cryptocurrency on August 27, 2013 at 7:12pm

Lawmakers Sign Petition Asking Obama to Seek Congressional Approval...

Infowars.com
August 27, 2013

At least 22 members of the House of Representatives have signed a petition pleading president Obama to honor the Constitution, in addition to the War Powers Resolution, and seek congressional approval before launching a military offensive on Syria.

Representative Scott Rigell (VA-R)

Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell penned the letter which asks Obama to reconvene Congress if he deems “that military action in Syria is necessary” so they can collectively “consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.”

The petition states Obama committed a constitutional infraction when he authorized “221 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire” without congressional approval against Libya in 2011.

“We view the precedent this opinion sets, where ‘ national interest’ is enough to engage in hostilities without congressional authorization, as unconstitutional,” Rigell’s petition notes.

“Engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization,” Rigell says, “would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.”

Below is the full letter, via the Washington Post, and the names of those who signed as of 1:35PM today:

Dear Mr. President,

We strongly urge you to consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria. Your responsibility to do so is prescribed in the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

While the Founders wisely gave the Office of the President the authority to act in emergencies, they foresaw the need to ensure public debate – and the active engagement of Congress – prior to committing U.S. military assets. Engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.

Mr. President, in the case of military operations in Libya you stated that authorization from Congress was not required because our military was not engaged in “hostilities.” In addition, an April 1, 2011, memorandum to you from your Office of Legal Counsel concluded:

“…President Obama could rely on his constitutional power to safeguard the national interest by directing the anticipated military operations in Libya—which were limited in their nature, scope, and duration—without prior congressional authorization.”

We view the precedent this opinion sets, where “national interest” is enough to engage in hostilities without congressional authorization, as unconstitutional. If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute “hostilities,” what does?

If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request. We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.