War Powers Act Essay Research Paper The

War Powers Act Essay, Research Paper

The farmers of our Constitution recognized the need for separate powers as well as checks and balances among the executive, legislative and judicial branches. This in turn helps to provide for the common defense . Separation of powers prevents one branch from becoming excessively dominant over the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.: In order to accede to the preamble and adhere in its goals, the Constitution ensures this is by clearly stating the authority of the Congress in Article I Section 8 and the authority of the President in Article II Section 2. These fixed powers in the Constitution clearly state that one cannot act without permission or authorization of another. It is designed to that one cannot take action without consent of the other branch. This is prevalent in Article I Section 7 that states the process of how a law is passed. The fact that there are clear steps to the initiation of a law states the importance of separation of powers so that a single dominant branch does not arise.

One of the biggest debated concerning the separation of powers it the attempt to determine which branch has the constitutional authority to undertake the involvement of war. This brings us to the argument of the constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution passed by congress in 1973 in effort to balance powers between congress and the president. Section 3 of the War Powers Resolution act states: The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situation where

imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and after every such introduction shall consult regularly with the Congress until United States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities or have been removed from such situation. Section 3 of War Powers Resolution is necessary for the perpetuation of democracy and its inherent system of checks and balances. (RushKoff, 1337)(Mason, 105-106) The development of executive dominant role in war making has resulted in an attempt by congress to reassert its constitutional war-making powers. The War Powers Resolution (WPR) represents congress attempt to regain a degree of involvement in the nation decision to engage in war.

Decisions that presidents had made previously with little congressional participation. Under Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. Congress is granted responsibility for caring out their powers as well as all other powers in the Constitution. This gives them the constitutional right to establish certain procedural implements for war proceedings. Thus, the central purpose of the War Powers Resolutions to restrain the president from unilaterally deploying U.S. Armed Forces. Constant with this intent, legislation imposed the president to report and consult with congress. More notably, it provides congressional supervision by permitting congress to force troop withdrawal after a statutory prescribed length of time. The War Powers Resolution does not significantly constrict the executive power to introduce military engagements. Rather it established procedural implements for the use of war power and concurrently expresses congress intent to participate as an active partner in the war decision making process as mandated in the constitution. (Mason, 154)(RushKoff, 1331-1333) The constitutional powers of the President in

Article II, Section 2: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States Gives him the title of Commander-in-Chief. The presidents powers of commander in chief is to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, are exercised only pursuant to a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization by Congress (Article I, Section 8). The President and the Congress are prevented from achieving an armed dictatorship.

The Presidential Executive power as Commander in Chief, is confined to when Congress declares war. The War Powers Resolution is legitimate in its compliance with the Constitution for a balanced government. A war making decision is a judgment of immense gravity, and it should not be considered carelessly. Therefore, political consensus should exist if there is a possibility of war engagement. If a president can not get the American public or congress to agree in his war-making decision, subsequently he should not pursue the matter. Since congress is more closely associated with the American people, they maintain and offer insights that the president often lacks. According to the Constitution, Article I Section 8: provide for the common Defense and general welfare of the United States; Congress is presented with the responsibility of representing the American people, hence providing for the general welfare. This is also consistent with the preamble objective of insuring domestic tranquility as well as encouraging the general welfare . (RushKoff, 1338)(Mason,