Sens to Admin: Explain Views on Congress War Powers

[cynatnite]

This ought to be good. Senate Judicary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-PA) have written Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to ask what power they think Congress has to restrict the waging of war.

The request comes as Sen. Russ Feinfold (D-WI) holds a hearing today called "Exercising Congress's Constitutional Power to End a War." A number of Democrats, like Feingold, have urged that the Democrats use the power of the purse to restrict Bush's troop increase in Iraq.

"What constitutional authority do you recognize resides with the Congress with respect to war?" the letter asks. "How do you believe Congress can exercise its authorities? What limits to you believe exist on those authorities? We would appreciate your prompt reply and legal analysis."

A couple of weeks ago, President Bush, in response to a question of whether he had "the authority to put the <21,000 extra> troops in no matter what the Congress wants to do," answered, "In this situation, I do, yeah. Now, I fully understand they could try to stop me from doing it. But I made my decision, and we're going forward."

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002437.php

[itsmesgd]

1. Senators to Al: Gonzo, Can we have your permission to spank you?

Does Feingold need to borrow my copy of the Constitution. Has any senator or house member ever taken a constitutional law course?

I'm starting to think that this is feigned incompetence on the part of the dems to allow chimp to fuck up royally so that the dems can take the WH in 2008.

[cynatnite]

2. Why do you think that? n/t

[itsmesgd]

6. Why do I think that, simple

Russ and the other congress members should KNOW their role, their limitations, and their responsibilities. They should not ask the chief law enforcement officer in the executive branch to define their roles for them. They need to take "Constitutional Law 101" or read the damn constitution, understand what it says, and do their jobs and not politely ask to do their jobs.

Have you ever had a cop ask you if he was legally able give you a speeding ticket. No, he knows the law, he knows that you were speeding, and it's his job to give you the ticket. Same difference. Senators and House members have another title besides Congressmen. They are called Constitutional Officers.

Checks, Balances...any of this ringing any bells?

[cynatnite]

8. You do know this is usually how it's done?

They send out letters requesting information and asking questions before they subpeona. That's how I've seen it done in the past. My understanding is this is normal procedure. I prefer senators to follow procedure when it comes to matters like this.

[0rganism]

3. separation of powers is a tricky thing

I suggest you give Sen. Feingold the benefit of the doubt on this one.

The War Powers Act isn't exactly the bees' knees, and I'm not sure it'd be wise to force the issue given the current SCOTUS, without first raising public awareness of the issues involved.

[ClassWarrior]

11. .

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Smells like Constitutional crisis moving towards the front burner

to me. It also looks like they're getting their ducks in a row not to stop Iraq so much as to stop what we all see happening before our eyes with regard to Iran.

[Morgana LaFey]

12. Do you think any of them, or any combination of them, has the

stomach for that, let alone the spine?? I worry that they don't.

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. I'm not as worried about their spines as I am about their speed

They're going to have to stay two steps ahead of Rove and Cheney, both of whom like to cut corners and break legs. Congress might take too long trying to dot their i's and cross their t's.

[Homer12]

4. Will Gonzo take the bait?

n/t

[ShortnFiery]

5. Our Congress needs to stop asking and pass legislation to stop

Dear Leader and his ghouls. NOW! Lest we kill HUNDREDS of innocent Iranian Citizens with our impending bombing raids.

[hashibabba]

9. Congress needs to make sure they're dotting all their i's and

crossing all their t's. Otherwise, this might not stick. You do want it done correctly, right?

[quiet.american]

10. Ole' Arlen's hand was probably shaking as he signed that. n/t

[Jacobin]

14. With all due respect to Senator Leahy, who is great

May I suggest that Congress needs to explain to the administration what its powers are and cut off funds for this atrocious adventure of the neo-cons and do it RIGHT FUCKING NOW