55 House members say Obama needs approval from Congress on Syria (Aug 28, 2013)

Posted by American News Online

Reported by:  Rebecca Shabad - 08/28/13 10:25 AM ET

The Hill

 

Fifty-five lawmakers including eight Democrats have signed a letter that says President Obama would violate the Constitution by striking Syria without first getting authorization from Congress.

“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,” states the letter, spearheaded by Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.). Rigell intends to deliver the letter to the White House this afternoon and will continue to seek signatures until noon, his communications director, Kim Mosser Knapp, tells The Hill.

The Democrats who have signed the letter so far are Reps. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), Rush Holt (N.J.), Gene Green (Texas), Beto O’Rourke (Texas), Peter DeFazio (Ore.), Kurt Schrader (Ore.), William Enyart (Ill.) and Timothy Walz (Minn.).

The number of signatures on the letter has more than doubled since Tuesday, highlighting bipartisan interest in ensuring a role for Congress in any decision to use force in Syria.

Rigell has called on Obama to bring Congress back to Washington early to consider the authorization of military force against Syria.

“If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your convenience,” he letter states.

The congressman also wrote that the president’s decision to authorize the 2011 U.S. military in Libya without Congress’s green light was unconstitutional.

News reports suggest U.S. strikes on Syria could begin as early as Thursday. Congress is not set to return to Washington until Sept. 9.

The administration has reached out to discuss its thinking with lawmakers on several committees, as well as Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/319127-55-house-members-say-obama-needs-approval-from-congress-in-syria-strikes#ixzz2dH7iVimZ


 

 

 

Recent Articles

Florida State Rep. Salzman Denies Threatening Hispanic Group

Conway: Trump Believes NYT Op-Ed Writer ‘Somebody in National Security’

Trey Gowdy Rips Senate Democrats For Kavanaugh Confirmation Antics

Could Trump’s Drug Industry Critiques Be Working? Latest Drug Price Trends Are Good For Americans

Michael Cohen Files To Get His Money Back From Stormy Daniels

Pence denies discussing invoking the 25th Amendment in the Trump White House at any time

Awful. Obama Calls Benghazi a “Wild Conspiracy” — Benghazi Hero Kris Paranto Responds

do-it-president-trump-tells-reporters-he-may-use-military-to-build-great-border-wall

Why the GOP will likely maintain control of Congress

Trump Is Feuding With Harley-Davidson. Bikers Love Him Anyway.

Newt Gingrich: Anonymous NY Times op-ed is a liberal media attack on President Trump

Regime Change -- American Style

Desperate Democrats

The Supreme Court's days as a super-legislature are over, and Democrats aren't happy about it

China is Losing the New Cold War