May 23, 2017 The Call: No military action without Congressional approval With the continuing stream of damaging news about President Trump’s attempts to stop the FBI probe into his campaign’s possible collusion with Russia, he may try to distract from the investigation with a major military strike. Article I of the Constitution gives the power to authorize military action to Congress. However, in recent decades, Congress has often failed to fully assert its prerogative and has acquiesced to the executive taking various military actions with flimsy Congressional authority. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, Congress authorized President Bush to take military action against any entity that aided the attacks, or harbored perpetrators, in order to prevent future attacks (the 2001 AUMF). All use of US military force since then, including President Trump’s Syrian bombings, have relied on the 2001 AUMF. By any measure, the 2001 AUMF has been stretched far beyond its original intent and there is no argument that it could cover military action in Korea. The escalation of potential military action on a far more catastrophic, possibly nuclear level, is now being threatened in North Korea. In a recent interview with Reuters, Trump said “we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely.” Despite no Congressional approval, Sean Spicer has stated that Trump does not believe he needs Congressional approval for military action against North Korea. In the last week, the US has escalated its involvement in Syria by bombing Assad’s troops and the North Korean situation has escalated with additional missile launches. With an unpredictable and ill-informed President desperate for a diversion from the Russia investigation, it is imperative that Congress perform its Constitutional duty and reassert its obligation to approve or disapprove of military force before it occurs. Your Action Call your three members of Congress and tell them Congress must reassert its Constitutional duty and require the President to obtain Congressional approval before any further military action. Talking Points
Hi. This is [NAME] and I’m a constituent in [ZIP].
Congress must authorize any further military action.
Trump is carrying out military operations in Syria without any Congressional oversight or approval.
Sean Spicer has said the President doesn’t need Congressional approval for a strike on North Korea.