Thank God for Bob Corker. Someone does care about the Constitution. U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter yesterday to Committee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., asking him “to hold a series of hearings to examine the division of war powers as outlined by the Constitution, reexamine the provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, and consider recommendations to amend or clarify the conditions required for the employment of US forces.”
Full text of Senator Corker’s letter to Chairman Kerry is included below.
Dear Senator Kerry,
On March 19, 2011, the United States engaged in military operations over Libya "to set the conditions for our European allies and Arab partners to carry out the measures authorized by the U.N. Security Council Resolution," namely for the enforcement of a no-fly zone. Questions have been raised about the constitutionality of this engagement and what authorities govern this employment of forces.
To that end, I call on the committee to hold a series of hearings to examine the division of war powers as outlined by the Constitution, reexamine the provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, and consider recommendations to amend or clarify the conditions required for the employment of US forces.
We owe it to every man and woman who puts on a uniform to serve our country, and every taxpayer who funds the operations, to be clear that our entry into any conflict - whether in response to an attack on the homeland or a threat to our broader national security - has been entered into in a lawful and appropriate manner.
I look forward to the scheduling of these hearings in the very near future.
Sincerely,
BOB CORKER
United States Senator
In a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on March 17, prior to the U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing U.S. and coalition airstrikes in Libya, Corker questioned Undersecretary of State William Burns about the need for a congressional authorization and the goals for a U.S. military operation in Libya. Corker also issued a statement on March 28 reiterating his call for clarity on the United States’ interests and role in Libya.
I am appalled that members of Congress and the public who vehemently opposed our war on Iraq, which was authorized by Congress, are totally unconcerned about our war on Libya which has not been authorized and when there was no imminent threat. They are totally devoid of any consistency. I suspect many of them would grant President Obama dictatorial powers on the slightest of pretense. Obama has committed an impeachable offense and should be removed from office.
Senator Corker, Please do not back down. Keep pushing and demand these hearings. Where are the other members of Congress who care about the Constitution?
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