Are you aware that Congress never declared war on Iraq?

Question

President Bush claims he has this power, but of course that is not was the Constitution says. Does this make what we are doing illegal? Immoral? Only Congress can declare war. After Pearl Harbor, FDR went to Congress and asked them to declare war, which they did.
I think Bush over stepped his authority and an all Republican (three branches are all republican) government let him do as he pleased.

Answer 1

Really, this is a very broad question. Why was war declared? There are many theories the speculate the reason why; from foreign oil to weapons of mass destruction. The theory that made the most sense to me was the one found in the movie "Fharenheit 9/11." Oil. Of course Bush could not declare war without the power of congress but as you stated, all these branches are republican and President Bush got to do as he pleased. After 9/11, the country was in an uproar, seeking justice for the thousands of lives that were lost needlessly. However, the brief war in Afghanistan and the subsequent war in Iraq are witch hunts. I agree that President Bush is running the country as he pleases. As for those that feel offended by what I am saying, honestly BITE ME! I voted for Kerry !!! (Only wish the popular vote would have made a difference but that a whole other can of worms). Thousands of our soldiers are dying needlessly for a war the most of the country did not approve of; men and women are dying, husband's, brother's, son's, lover's, and because one man got power hungry. What can we expect from a man that choked on a pretzel? If you can't chew your food correctly, chances are you will not be able to run the world's most powerful country either.

Answer 2

You should read The War Powers Act of 1973, Section 2(c), which says:
The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.

You can see that a Declaration of War is not the only way the President can send troops to war. Note that it says "specific statutory authorization".

Please note:

Dateline: 10/11/02

The U.S. Congress yesterday passed a resolution authorizing President Bush to use the Armed Forces of the United States against Iraq.

The full text of H.J. Res. 114 HR, dated October 2, 2002 can be found at the third reference, below. Full text of S. J. Res 45 can be found at the fourth reference, below.

Read those, and then tell me again how the President, as Commander-in-Chief did not have the authority to go to war in Iraq. Oh, and FYI, FDR got the last formal declaration of war there is ever likely to be.

Answer 3

After the Vietnam War, Congress tried to reign in presidential war making through the War Powers Act (1973).

This act essentially grants the president 90 days to make war without congressional approval (he gets 60, but can add a 30 day extension), but he must have congressional approval by the end of 90 days. Also, the act calls for greater presidential consultation with Congress regarding military action.

This act has largely been a failure. By giving the president carte blanche for 90 days, the act sets up a situation where the in order to counter presidential war power the Congress will have to act while troops are in the field, not before. It is politically difficult to act against a president who has put troops into action. It appears to be an act against the fighting men and women of the military and thus unpatriotic.

While there are periodic calls from Congress to address this situation, the president has great institutional advantages on this matter and likely his war making powers will not be decreased in the near future.

Answer 4

Are you aware that congress has not declared war since WWII?

We have been in quite a few since then. Every hear of vietnam? Korea? Gulf war?

Congress DID aprove the actions in Iraq.

Just because it's not a 'declared war', doesn't mean it was not approved by congress.

Answer 5

The Bush administration is claiming this is a "police action" and we are staying there on behalf of the new Iraqi government. That is how he has gotten around the whole congress issue.

Answer 6

They didn't declare war in out other dirty little wars either-like Vietnam. Our Civics books must have been wrong about who has the power,huh?

Answer 7

Do your homework. Perhaps the War Powers Act will clear things up for you.

Answer 8

per chance your chum might want to judge how Japan dealt with POWs earlier he starts spouting off about conflict crimes. more desirable to the aspect: Japan not in any respect signed or became a social gathering to the 0.33 Geneva convention of 1925 which lined the remedy of prisoners of conflict, nor became Japan a signator of the previous 2 conventions which lined employing guns (nuclear guns did now no longer exist even as those conventions were drafted, yet they could although be lined). now no longer being as signator places them out of the team of being waiting to *****. the jap Emperor had ordered that each body jap electorate were to wrestle to the shortcoming of life. My father became in Okinawa, 2 days removed from boarding a provide to attack Japan. by employing that aspect there have been no troops left; in basic terms civilians being armed with poorly-made guns. it would want to were a slaughter. both bombs compelled Japan to grant up. more desirable may have died in an attack then died interior both cities. And, finally, keep in mind that Japan attacked the U.S. first at Pearl Harbor. It became an unprovoked attack presented about by employing a deal between Japan and the Axis related to providing Japan with oil. Adolf wanted the U.S. busy combating contained in the Pacific; he did now no longer imagine of that the U.S. may effectively gross sales a 2-the front conflict. there is sufficient blame to maintain away from round notwithstanding the major is "we did now no longer start up the wrestle, yet we dang certain finished it."

Answer 9

Yes, I am aware.