Trustee Elections
These are the original issues in this subcategory
- RENDITION & TORTURE
- PATRIOT ACT
- WAR AUTHORIZATION
Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of our Constitution states that only Congress has the power to declare war. However, our nation has been taken to war without the consent of Congress by presidents who claimed the Korean and Viet Nam Wars were “police actions” and not subject to Congressional approval. In an attempt to close this loophole, the War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973 to limit a president’s ability to wage large-scale, long-term war without the support of Congress and the public. This law allows the President to use military force in an emergency but requires him or her to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action. Furthermore, the duration of such an action is limited to 60 days unless Congress consents to the use of military force or declares a state of war.
The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) is the law which authorized the use of military action against Iraq. This broad resolution, which signaled the beginning of our War on Terror, seems to have been interpreted by Presidents Bush and Obama as authorizing “any president at any time to do whatever they wanted to any terrorist group.” Years later, this 20-year-old AUMF resolution was used to authorize military actions, including airstrikes and the deployment of military personnel to the Middle East to fight ISIS. Many believe the resolution used to justify our invasion of Iraq should now be formally concluded, and that Congress should be required to pass a new AUMF each time it wants to send our military into harm’s way – and for these military actions to be concluded within a specific timeframe.
Pending Legislation: H.R.3370 - Reclamation of War Powers Act
Sponsor: Rep. James Himes (CT)
Status: Referred to 3 Committees for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker
House Minority Leader: Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) (requesting Discharge Petition)
The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) is the law which authorized the use of military action against Iraq. This broad resolution, which signaled the beginning of our War on Terror, seems to have been interpreted by Presidents Bush and Obama as authorizing “any president at any time to do whatever they wanted to any terrorist group.” Years later, this 20-year-old AUMF resolution was used to authorize military actions, including airstrikes and the deployment of military personnel to the Middle East to fight ISIS. Many believe the resolution used to justify our invasion of Iraq should now be formally concluded, and that Congress should be required to pass a new AUMF each time it wants to send our military into harm’s way – and for these military actions to be concluded within a specific timeframe.
Pending Legislation: H.R.3370 - Reclamation of War Powers Act
Sponsor: Rep. James Himes (CT)
Status: Referred to 3 Committees for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker
House Minority Leader: Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) (requesting Discharge Petition)
- I oppose reforming current war authorization policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
- I support prohibiting funding for the Armed Forces from being obligated or expended for the introduction of the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, in the absence of a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Armed Forces by:
1.) Limiting funds to be used for such a national emergency for only 60 days.
2.) Prohibiting the House of Representatives or the Senate from considering a bill or joint resolution that makes funds available in violation of these provisions.
3.) Requiring the President to, in the case of such introduction of the Armed Forces, submit to Congress a report that includes:
a.) An analysis of the threat to be countered by the use of the Armed Forces.
b.) The specific objectives and justification for those objectives.
c.) A description of the scope, duration, cost and likelihood of success.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
- I support prohibiting funding for the Armed Forces from being obligated or expended for the introduction of the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, in the absence of a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Armed Forces by:
1.) Limiting funds to be used for such a national emergency for only 60 days.
2.) Prohibiting the House of Representatives or the Senate from considering a bill or joint resolution that makes funds available in violation of these provisions.
3.) Requiring the President to, in the case of such introduction of the Armed Forces, submit to Congress a report that includes:
a.) An analysis of the threat to be countered by the use of the Armed Forces.
b.) The specific objectives and justification for those objectives.
c.) A description of the scope, duration, cost and likelihood of success.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
There has been $0.00 pledged in support of this issue
Trustee Election - Opening Date
November 4, 2024
Trustee Election - Closing Date
November 11, 2024