Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Does Obama have the power to declare war? Highlights from the Senate Hearing on limited US military force in Syria

First kudos to C-SPAN for covering live the entire 3.5 hours of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing yesterday and then repeating it again in the early morning hours.

All the senators are to applauded for asking the three Obama officials Secretary of State Kerry, Chairman of  the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel-- all the right questions.

One of the key issues discussed is: does Obama have the power to authorize a limited military action with no American boots on Syrian soil-- under the constitution's War Powers Clause of Article I, Section 8 --which specifically grants Congress the power to declare war.

Here is the link to the 10 minute exchange between Senator Ron Paul and Secretary of State John Kerry recorded on youtube which explores the issue.

You decide for yourself.

To view the entire first session click here.

The hearings continue today on C-SPAN with Kerry, Hegel and Dempsey appearing in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at noon.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee could vote on the resolution as early as today!



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