Bill 204 – A Bill to take the Power away from Prez

 

The U.S. will no longer get into a military conflict with any nation unless said nation first attacks a U.S. citizen or any property owned by the United States government or private citizen.

 

Pro

 

1.  An attack on the Imperial presidency, this bill strips the power of the president to wage war without not only asking Congress for it’s approval, but providing specific limitations (attack on US citizens/property)

                                    a.  Robert Byrd (Dem – Member Senate Armed Services Committee) .” – speaking of the recent resolution on Iraq.  (CQ Researcher Nov. 15, 2002) – speech Oct. 3, 2002

                                                “This is an unprecedented and unfounded interpretation of the president’s authority under the constitution which stands the charter of the United Nations on its head

                                    b.  Constitution – Article 1, Section 8 – grants Congress the power to declare war and to call forth the militia to repel Invasions.  (not to pre-empt a perceived threat!)

 

2.  Bill is consistent with and builds on the War Powers Resolution (1973)

 

                        a.  “The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated…”

 

                        b.  Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – allowed president Johnson too much freedom and allowed him to greatly increase our involvement in Vietnam, a war we later questioned as to our motives.

 

Con

 

1.  September 11th shows us that there is a place for preemptive attacks.  To limit us to reacting to specific attacks on person/property, we are unable to defend ourselves against future attacks by terrorist nations/groups.

                        a.  Pat Roberts (Rep.-Senate Armed Service Committee)  - speaking about our ability to defend ourselves against Iraq and Saddam Hussein. – speech to Senate Oct. 9, 2002

 

“While “hard evidence” of an Iraqi role in the attacks of 9/11 may be hard to prove….American survival must be assured…We must be preemptive…”

                        b.  September 11th – enough said!

 

2.  Bill does nothing to stop form attacks on American persons/property from being possibly fabricated, therefore does not really decrease the power of the imperial Presidency or government.

 

                        a.  War with Mexico – Abe Lincoln  show me the spot where American blood was shed…”

                        b.  Spanish-American War – Battleship Maine and yellow journalism

                        c.  Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin attacks on the U.S.S. Maddox

 

3.  Bill could allow specific American interests, particularly business interests, to drag the U.s. into war for their benefit.

                        a.  Hawaii and Queen Liluokalani in 1893

                        b.  Cuba, Yellow Journalist and the Spanish-American War

                        c.  Cuba and the Bay of Pigs