The Powerful And Clueless

Former Secs. of State Warren Christopher and Bush Family Conigliere James Baker have an idea:

The report calls for the passage of a new War Powers Consultation Act early in the next Congress. It would require the president to consult with a new joint congressional committee before deploying troops to a "significant armed conflict" -- defined as lasting longer than one week -- and would mandate regular consultation thereafter. Response to a terrorist attack and covert actions would be exempted from its requirements.

The bill would also require a congressional vote approving military action within 30 days of its inception. If approval was not given, any lawmaker could introduce a "disapproval" resolution that would have to be voted on within five days. If it passed, the president would have to comply or veto the measure. If lawmakers could not override a presidential veto, Congress's remaining option would be to deny funding.

Baker notes that the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war.

That sounds like a viable "War Powers Act" to me.

Astoundingly, out of the hundreds of wars and significant military actions this nation has undertaken Congress has declared war only five times: 1812, Mexican, Spanish, WWI, and WWII.

Since presidents of all parties have ignored the Constitution in this matter - and Congress has refused to do anything about it - why would yet another War Powers Act change anything at all?

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