White House release: Draft legislation for Authorization for Use of US Armed Forces
Whereas, on August 21, 2013, the Syrian government carried out a chemical Weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus, Syria, killing more than 1,000 innocent Syrians;
Whereas these flagrant actions were in violation of international norms and the laws of War;
Whereas the United States and 188 other countries comprising 98 percent of the World’s population are parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons;
Whereas, in the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003,
Congress found that Syria’s acquisition of weapons of mass destruction threatens the security of the Middle East and the national security interests of the United States;
Whereas the United Nations Security Council, in Resolution 1540 (2004), affirmed that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons constitutes a threat to international peace and Security;
Whereas, the objective of the United States’ use of military force in connection with this authorization Should be to deter, disrupt, prevent, and degrade the potential for, future uses of chemical Weapons or other Weapons of mass destruction;
Whereas, the conflict in Syria will only be resolved through a negotiated political settlement, and Congress calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to participate urgently and constructively in the Geneva process; and
Whereas, unified action by the legislative and executive branches will send a clear signal of American resolve.
SEC. _ AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
(a) Authorization.- The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in connection with the use of Chemical Weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in the conflict in Syria in order to:
(l) prevent or deter the use or proliferation (including the transfer to terrorist groups or other state or non-state actors), within, to or from Syria, of any Weapons of mass destruction, including chemical or biological weapons or components of or materials used in such Weapons; or
(2) protect the United States and its allies and partners against the threat posed by such Weapons.
(b) War Powers Resolution Requirements.
(1) Specific Statutory Authorization Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.
(2) Applicability of requirements.—Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/08/31/1235386/-White-House-release-Draft-legislation-for-Authorization-for-Use-of-US-Armed-Forces
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claiming that he is following the War Powers Resolution, which has been argued in the past as being unconstitutional and ignored by several Presidents in the past, including both Reagan and Clinton, with no charges being brought against any.
Technically, for the limited action that Obama is talking about he could bypass the Congress completely, as long as he told them within 48 hours and it was as limited as he requests.
But, he is requesting Congressional approval regardless. This is actually a smart move on his part.
Obama is the one who issued the "red line" ultimatum. However, it is up to the people to decide the results and/or repercussions of crossing this red line.
By doing this, he has more or less abdicated responsibility to his threat to the US Congress, which is SUPPOSED to represent the US people.
If I had my way, I would go forward with limited strikes bearing in mind that the purpose was to keep Assad from using chemical weapons rather than regime change, itself. In other words, if he can keep his regime in power, he can do so without resorting to chemical weapons - and every time we see them used we destroy factories he likes. Not to favor one side or the other, but to tell him that the use of chemical weapons won't give him any advantage. So, don't use them!
Innocent women and children will be killed. I would prefer a more surgical strike that would eliminate this, such as an assassination drone strike. But current laws don't allow that, requiring instead that innocents be killed. Perhaps those international laws should be changed in light of new technological advancements?
Actually entire Coalition Of The Willing (tm) consisting of the 4 heads of the respective countries AND every one of 404 Chairbound Internet Marines should go in to show the world how it's done!
PS Am so looking forward to see Cameron in combat gear GWB style!
