BOOMS! PEWS! KAZNG! WAR?
In August 1990, Iraqi troops invaded neighboring Kuwait, a member of the United Nations and an ally of the United States. U.S. diplomats failed in their attempts to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict while economic sanctions against Iraq failed as well. The U.S. government declared war on Iraq in January 1991 and Operation Desert Storm began 5 days later.
What allowed the United States to declare war on Iraq in January 1991?
Congress shall have the power: "To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water"
-Article I, Section 8 Clause 2 of the Constitution
An contemporary news article that relates to the powers or rights in the scenario can be found here.
Obama believed that ISIS was a threat to the people in Syria, Iraq, the Middle East, and the security of the United States. He claimed that ISIS was responsible for the death of U.S citizens, and that their very existence threatens American personnel and facilities located in places with ISIS influence. On February 2015, President Obama went before Congress with a request for Congress to authorize a war on ISIS. President Obama's new bill included support and training for forces on the ground, humanitarian assistance, the authorization of airstrike campaigns. In his draft, Obama also stressed that the authorization of United States military forces does not call for ground troops to fight in Syria and Iraq, but the proposal also gives the military to deploy special forces in the affected regions during special circumstances. With the new draft, President Obama sought to remove ISIS because their terrorism are a threat to the U.S and the peace of others.
Due to a power granted by the Constitution, only Congress have the power to declare war. Therefore, the president has to first consult the Congress, then let Congress decide. When ISIS became a threat to the stability of peace in Syria, Iraq, the Middle East, and American interests and citizens, Obama sought to destroy the organization. However, the constitution does not grant the president the power to declare war. Therefore Obama had to go before the Congress to request authorization of the war on ISIS and request the authorization for use of American Military Forces. As stated in the news article, President Obama went to Congress with a new draft of the bill, and let Congress decided on the decision.
Political Cartoon:
What allowed the United States to declare war on Iraq in January 1991?
Congress shall have the power: "To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water"
-Article I, Section 8 Clause 2 of the Constitution
An contemporary news article that relates to the powers or rights in the scenario can be found here.
Obama believed that ISIS was a threat to the people in Syria, Iraq, the Middle East, and the security of the United States. He claimed that ISIS was responsible for the death of U.S citizens, and that their very existence threatens American personnel and facilities located in places with ISIS influence. On February 2015, President Obama went before Congress with a request for Congress to authorize a war on ISIS. President Obama's new bill included support and training for forces on the ground, humanitarian assistance, the authorization of airstrike campaigns. In his draft, Obama also stressed that the authorization of United States military forces does not call for ground troops to fight in Syria and Iraq, but the proposal also gives the military to deploy special forces in the affected regions during special circumstances. With the new draft, President Obama sought to remove ISIS because their terrorism are a threat to the U.S and the peace of others.
Due to a power granted by the Constitution, only Congress have the power to declare war. Therefore, the president has to first consult the Congress, then let Congress decide. When ISIS became a threat to the stability of peace in Syria, Iraq, the Middle East, and American interests and citizens, Obama sought to destroy the organization. However, the constitution does not grant the president the power to declare war. Therefore Obama had to go before the Congress to request authorization of the war on ISIS and request the authorization for use of American Military Forces. As stated in the news article, President Obama went to Congress with a new draft of the bill, and let Congress decided on the decision.
Political Cartoon:
In the political cartoon, the artist believes that Obama is being unconstitutional by overstepping his powers as president. In article I, section 8 of the constitution, it only grants Congress the ability to declare war. However, Obama overstepped his powers as president, and declare war without authorization of Congress. In the cartoon, President Obama is piloting the jet labeled as War Powers while Congress is in the backseat. In addition, the artist also condemns Congress as a weak person with no power. In the political cartoon, Congress is hesitating to speak up when Obama took control of their plane. The artist views this situation as silly and demonstrates this by giving both character silly facial features.
This political cartoon is presenting the power granted by the constitution for Congress to declare war. As stated in the passage of the constitution above, we know that the constitution only allows Congress to declare war. The president does not have the ability to do what the Congress can in order to keep the power of each government body in check. Therefore, if a president wants to declare war, the president will have to request authorization from Congress. However, President Obama violated the constitution in this passage. In a plane labeled as War Powers that Congress should be piloting, President Obama has hijacked the plane and forced Congress to watch from the backseat. Between President Obama and Congress stands a brick wall, demonstrating how the President refused to listen to the decisions from Congress.
This political cartoon is presenting the power granted by the constitution for Congress to declare war. As stated in the passage of the constitution above, we know that the constitution only allows Congress to declare war. The president does not have the ability to do what the Congress can in order to keep the power of each government body in check. Therefore, if a president wants to declare war, the president will have to request authorization from Congress. However, President Obama violated the constitution in this passage. In a plane labeled as War Powers that Congress should be piloting, President Obama has hijacked the plane and forced Congress to watch from the backseat. Between President Obama and Congress stands a brick wall, demonstrating how the President refused to listen to the decisions from Congress.