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Senators: Don’t Give Up Power to Debate War

6-13-2011

By C. Dixon Osburn
Director, Law and Security

The House of Representatives passed a new defense bill two weeks ago that strips Congress’ critical role in warmaking decisions, and forces the armed forces to take on a new mission as judge, jury and jailor of all future foreign terrorism suspects. The Senate Armed Services Committee will decide whether to follow suit or change course starting this Wednesday.

Tell the Senate Armed Services Committee to protect Congress’ role in deciding whether to go to war and limit the mission of our armed forces to prosecuting wars, not people. Not only are such choices smarter national security, they uphold the rule of law and American values.

The House version of the defense bill would:

  • Strip Congress of its critical role in warmaking decisions by ceding to the president unfettered authority to use military force anywhere in the world;
  • Force the military to become the judge, jury and jailor for all future foreign terrorism suspects, expanding the failed experiment at Guantanamo; and
  • Turn Guantanamo into the Hotel California where you get in but can never get out, even if you are innocent.

Sign the petition and tell the Senate Armed Services Committee to oppose any measures in the defense authorization bill that place politics over national security.

Thanks for your help.


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Posted in Blog | 4 Comments »

  • Kathy Goble

    Under the U.S.Constitution, Congress was given the authority to declare war,after input from the president. The 20th century saw at least 2 major wars entered into without that authority. I saw many lives of my friends disrupted by Viet Nam, now we are still in Iraq and Afghanistan. We cannot afford any more wars that are gone into without proper debate. This country was founded because we chafed under the monarchy of England. Protect Congress’ role to debate the issue before going into war.
    Sincerely,
    Kathy Goble

  • Sharon Pederslie

    The Founding Fathers gave separation of powers between the President and Congress for a very valid and hugely important reason. I wonder what they would have to say about what has been going on in America.

  • Rai Sue Sussman

    Could you give more info about this bill, such as what it is called, and where to find the text of it? I would not be comfortable calling my Senators without a little more info.

  • Bonnie Breckenridge

    Last time I looked the US was still somewhat of a Democracy. Do we want to make it a monarchy? The Founding Fathers gave separation of powers between the President and Congress for a very valid and hugely important reason.