Legislative Approval for military action

[Jeneral2885]

Legally does the President need to consult Congress over military action against Syria? Can Congress curtail military action and if so, how?

Would like some expert views on the powers of the legislative branch, thanks.

[zipplewrath]

1. Define "can"

the reality has been for some time through multiple presidents of both parties that the congress is loath to actually stop a president from doing anything they choose to do. They will complain, but they will very rarely actually take any steps to prevent a president from conducting any military actions that the president takes. It doesn't help that the president can always line up a long group of generals to testify that the congress shouldn't interfere and should "support the troops".

And only congress can stop him. The USSC won't do a darn thing.

For all the marching and campaigning and votes and whatever of the LBJ/Vietnam era, Nixon continued to fight the war for years, and congress never stopped him. A democratic senate will never stop Obama. Heck, a democratic House AND Senate refused to stop him in Afghanistan or accelerate Iraq faster that Bush negotiated in the SOFA.

And they need to be stopped, none will "wait for approval" if they decide to act. They may CHOOSE to wait, but only for their own interests.

[shedevil69taz]

2. The President can

Send military assets anywhere he sees fit for up to 60 days with orders to undertake whatever action he has deemed appropriate.

[JayhawkSD]

3. If you are referring to the War Powers Resolution, no

The War Powers Resolution was passed to restrain the president's ability to use military force, not to empower him.

The act allows the use of military force "only by authorization of Congress" or in the event of "an attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces."

Even then he can continue that action for 60 days before reporting to Congress with justification for the action, and obtain permission to continue.

[Jeneral2885]

4. Cause it sounds strange

that the UK Parliament is recalled to at least listen to the PM/government's case but the US Congress isnt. I know the difference in political structures, but given the US Congress (greater) responsibilities, and Obama being Obama, its wierd he has not asked for a Congressional debate

[JayhawkSD]

5. You do remember Libya?

Not only did he not consult with Coingress, but when they expressly forbade it, by saying that no money could be spent for the purpose, he completely ignored them and proceeded with an action which had become unabashed regime change.